Without Miri Regev: Bereaved Families Launch Alternative Memorial for October 7

Following last year’s controversy, an alternative memorial for the victims of the October 7 massacre and the subsequent Swords of Iron war will once again take place this year, this time without the involvement of the Israeli government or of the Miri Regev, previous Minister of Culture, but today Minister of Transportation and Road Safety.

This morning, the grassroots organization “Kumu” announced that it will hold a national memorial ceremony on the evening of Tuesday, October 7, 2025. The event, planned by bereaved families and civil society activists, aims to honor the victims’ memory while expressing both grief and resolve.

In a public statement, Kumu said:

“Last year’s memorial brought together all parts of Israeli society, moved a nation, featured some of Israel’s leading artists, and was broadcast across dozens of countries. It became a key platform for public diplomacy. This year, we remain committed to telling the full truth about the pain, abandonment, and destruction, but also about courage, solidarity, and hope. This ceremony will offer a vision that we can rise, take responsibility, heal, and build a better future.”

With no state funding, the organization has launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover production costs. Last year’s campaign raised over 3 million shekels, enabling a large-scale, emotionally powerful event that resonated far beyond Israel’s borders.

A Ceremony of Contrast

Last year, the event sparked a national debate after Minister Minister Regev chose to hold an official state ceremony at the same time. In the end, the two memorials aired back-to-back, highlighting the growing divide between state institutions and grassroots initiatives.

This year, as planning gets underway once more, the alternative memorial seeks to assert its role as a unifying space for remembrance, reflection, and resilience, crafted not by the government, but by the people most deeply affected.