Sydneysiders gather in rain for October 7 memorial

Eight thousand Sydneysiders braved the rain on Sunday night to attend a solemn yet uplifting commemoration marking the second anniversary of the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

The gathering, organised by the Zionist Council of NSW and in Dover Heights, brought together members of the Jewish community and supporters to remember the devastation of that day and the ongoing conflict.

“October 7 is a day of global significance. The barbarism unleashed that day was an attack on all we hold dear, freedom, safety and the right to live in peace,” Zionist Council of NSW president Orli Zahava told the crowd. “It shattered the illusion that hatred can be wished away, if only we wish hard enough for peace. Yet in that shattering, something else was revealed, a deeper unity, a greater strength.

“Here in Sydney, that unity has carried us. Even as social cohesion is tested, our community becomes more connected, more determined. And beyond the Jewish community, brave and principled Australians have stood with us, to grieve, to remember and to never forget. We thank you.”

Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon recalled that fateful day, making mention of the faces behind the numbers killed, including the young Bibas family, was well as members of his own family.

“I can still see the images of terrorists driving into Israeli towns in white pickup trucks. I can still feel the vibration of rockets overhead and hear the fearful voices of those in the safe room. Everyone in Israel was affected that day,” said Maimon. “These two years have brought immeasurable hardship, yet those who have suffered most are the ones who teach us the meaning of strength, courage and hope.”

Maimon referenced Hamas captivity survivor Eli Sharabi, who visited Canberra on his recent visit to Australia. “Eli stood before Australia’s most senior leaders and said two simple words: choose life. Those words were not a slogan. They are a guide for all of us who are hurting, when confronted with despair, answer with hope. When faced with hatred, respond with life.”

Welcomed with rousing applause, former senator Nova Peris, who has visited southern Israel and witnessed the devastation first-hand, spoke passionately about the deep solidarity between Indigenous Australians and the Jewish community. “I will never waver after seeing the evil. And I want you all to know today that is why many Aboriginal people stand with you, and why I will continue to speak truth even when it is hard,” said Peris.

“The bond between our people is alive, rooted in sacrificed history and truth. And it’s not just me. Across this country, Aboriginal voices are rising in support of you Jewish people.

“The Jewish people are not going anywhere. You are strong, you are resilient, and you are all David against every Goliath, and you are indigenous to your land. Know that I see you. I believe you.”

Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-CEO Alex Ryvchin said “we will never forget nor forgive what happened on that day”.

“But we gather also to celebrate, to celebrate the coming return of our hostages, who will soon, please God, be in the unending embrace of their families,” he said. “We celebrate what we pray will be a time of peace for all the people who seek it, peace which has been made possible by the defeat of the forces of misery and death. How was this victory been achieved? It has come through the heroism of the people of Israel.

“Nine hundred and fourteen soldiers have made the ultimate sacrifice. They fell so that Israel may stand. They are heroes everyone, and we will never forget them.”

NSW Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) CEO Michele Goldman reflected on the antisemitism that erupted in the wake of the attacks. “It’s hard to believe that two years have passed since we gathered in this very place, united in grief and disbelief at the horrors that unfolded in Israel on October 7, 2023. That day shattered our hearts,” she said.

“In the days that followed that attack, we also witnessed something deeply disturbing, an eruption of antisemitic hate that many of us had never seen before in this country. The mask came off. What had long simmered beneath the surface was unleashed with a venom that caught us off guard.”

Goldman revealed that in the last 12 months alone, the JBD has received and case managed hundreds of antisemitic incidents. “We saw antisemitism infiltrate our schools, universities, workplaces, spaces that should be safe and too often, to our dismay, there were no consequences. The silence was deafening. It sent a message that, whilst racism is condemned, antisemitism is somehow tolerated,” she said. “In the face of this darkness, something extraordinary happened. Our community rose. We mobilised, we organised, we supported one another.”

Australian-born Geoffrey “Danny” Majzner, who survived the attack at Kibbutz Be’eri, told of his ordeal that day. His sister, Galit Carbone, was murdered during the assault – the only Australian citizen killed.

“Six thirty in the morning, October 7, 2023, I was just about to leave my place on the kibbutz and take my normal bike ride. At six thirty, the rockets went all over the place. I waited, then I said it’s time to go on, but when I reached the gate, there was another rocket attack. I turned around and went back, but 150 metres ahead, the Hamas terrorists were already there,” said Majzner.

He told how he took refuge in his safe room. “In the middle of the day, after all these text messages from the family and friends, I got a phone call from my sister. She says, ‘I can hear them in my house. I don’t know what to do. I don’t know if I locked the door’. And I said, ‘Okay, let’s first of all whisper so they won’t hear, and soon the army will come and rescue, and everything will be fine’. Nothing was fine.

“I know we’re going to rebuild the place again and again and again, till everyone will come back. Whoever returns will make it a stronger community.”

Michael McDonough, the great-great-grandson of William Cooper, spoke of how the Aboriginal leader petitioned against Nazi persecution of the Jews following Kristallnacht in 1938.

“Like the stand my ancestor took in 1938 against the Nazis, I am here again to stand against racism and antisemitism and to declare my support for the State of Israel and to the Jewish people for their right to exist, to be safe and to live in peace,” he said.

“I do not understand why some of my fellow Australians and other people around the world think that it is okay to celebrate or even support a terrorist attack by Islamic extremists ever. I want you to know that I grieve with you, and I see your sadness, and I also feel all of your pain and your sorrow, but I also know of your people’s strengths and of your courage and of your resilience, with your stamina to endure everything you have to with your patience and pride. I am inspired by your community and your story to be a better man and a better human being.”

Zionist Council of NSW CEO Yossi Eshed closed the evening with a message of hope and determination, reflecting on the collective strength demonstrated by the community gathered at Rodney Reserve and beyond.

“I think today we have about 8000 people here, and many, many others, Jews and non-Jews, here in Australia and all over the world. Now we are stronger, and now we are more ready to the challenges. We feel the power of our unity,” said Eshed.

“Yes, we will dance again. Yes, we will bring the light again, and we will make sure that our younger generation will grow in a kinder, safer and better world.”

A compilation video of messages from politicians and other faith leaders was shown on the evening. Media commentator Gemma Tognini lit a candle as part of the memorial.

The event also included prayers for the Israel Defence Force and the State of Israel, performed by Yehuda Niasoff.

Songs performed included A New Day Will Rise and Am Yisrael Chai, while there were also renditions of the Australian and Israeli national anthems.