Dr Mike Evans

Israel approves annual day of remembrance for October 7 attacks

In a unanimous decision on Sunday, Israel’s government approved an annual national day of remembrance for the events of October 7 and the war.

The Cabinet, during its weekly meeting, also decided to hold a ceremony this year on the Gregorian calendar date of October 7 to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy. The Remembrance Day will feature two state ceremonies annually: one at 11:00 a.m. to honor fallen soldiers of the war, and another at 1:00 p.m. to remember civilians killed in hostilities.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in coordination with Transport Minister Miri Regev, responsible for the 76th Israel Independence Day celebration, the Ministry of Defense, and the Prime Minister’s Office, set the annual state commemoration events for the Iron Swords war. The war’s temporary name is pending a permanent designation at a later date.

Due to the Jewish Sabbath falling on the upcoming 24th of Tishrei, next year’s ceremonies will occur on the 25th of Tishrei, a Sunday, whenever the Hebrew date coincides with the Sabbath.

In addition to the annual National Remembrance Day on the Hebrew date, this year will see a one-time state ceremony on October 7, acknowledging its significance in Israel and globally as the date of a brutal terrorist attack. The government noted that “October 7th has been etched in the consciousness of people in Israel and around the world.”

Meanwhile, Iron Swords will join other wars, including the Kadesh War of 1956 with Egypt, the Six Day War and War of Attrition, the Yom Kippur War, the 1933 War, the Second Lebanon War, and the 2014 Gaza War, for which a state memorial ceremony is held.

The Ministry of Defense will allocate the necessary budget for its ceremony, while the Prime Minister’s Office will handle the budget required for its ceremonies and state events.