On October 7, 2023, the worst massacre of Jews since the Shoah was carried out. Terrorists from Hamas and other Islamist terrorist organizations attacked several Israeli towns on the border with the Gaza Strip and a music festival. Around 1,200 innocent people were brutally murdered and thousands were injured. Around 240 hostages were kidnapped by the terrorists into the Gaza Strip. Of these, around 20 have been proven to have been murdered or died in the course of hostilities in Gaza, and 120 were freed. There are currently 101 people still in the hands of Islamist terrorist organizations.
The Austrian Parliament commemorated the victims of this terrorist attack with an event this morning at the invitation of National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka and expressed solidarity with the affected families.
Sobotka: Austria stands on Israel’s side
The images of the terrible destruction in the Kibbutzim Kfar Aza and in the Kibbutz Be’eri, which he saw almost a year ago, are still vivid in his memory, said National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka. These places were inhabited by people who wanted to overcome differences and build a common future. The demand “Never again!” Today it is a mission to stand unwaveringly at the side of Israel and the entire Jewish people and to resolutely counter any manifestation of anti-Semitism.
Sobotka emphasized that no perpetrator-victim reversal, as is repeatedly attempted under the pretext of criticizing Israel, should be allowed. The event aims to commemorate the victims, but also to remind people that there are still hostages in the hands of terrorists. To free them, all efforts of the international community would have to be made. Commemoration only has meaning if it brings about a changed attitude in everyday life. Today’s event aims to convey this message.
The demand “Bring them home!” remains current
Further statements on the day of remembrance were made by Ariel Muzicant, President of the European Jewish Congress, Oskar Deutsch, President of the Jewish Community of Vienna, and the Ambassador of the State of Israel in Austria, David Roet. They remembered the victims of October 7th and called for the hostages still held to be remembered and to do everything possible to bring them home.
Ariel Muzicant spoke out against what he saw as one-sided calls for a ceasefire from Israel. He criticized the fact that a policy of “appeasement” had been pursued for too long and was now showing its ineffectiveness. The international community must hold the various actors in the Middle East who are driving the conflict to account and do everything possible to ensure that they stop their aggression against Israel. Muzicant demanded that Europe must show a united and decisive stance, especially towards Iran, whose regime has been threatening Israel with destruction for decades.
Oskar Deutsch said that Islamism sees Israel as an enemy because it stands for Western and democratic values. Unfortunately, it should be noted that Islamist propaganda is also being spread in Austria. Deutsch therefore called for decisive judicial action against anti-Semitic and Islamist manifestations in Austria. The President of the Israelite Religious Society in Austria thanked everyone who ensures the security of the Jewish communities and institutions in Austria and thus makes Jewish life possible.
Ambassador David Roet recalled that the people of Israel continue to face threats of attacks in these hours. Israel is exercising its right to self-defense and doing everything to ensure that October 7th can never happen again. The international community must assume its responsibility and confront the aggressors in the region in order to make peace possible. This is not a “gift to Israel,” but rather in the interest of the entire world.
Relatives of hostages do not give up hope
Afterwards, the Chief Rabbi of the IKG Vienna, Jaron Engelmayer, spoke words of remembrance for those murdered on October 7th. According to Jewish tradition, they should be viewed as martyrs because they were killed solely because of their Jewishness. The Talmud says, “Whoever saves a soul will be credited as having saved the entire world. Whoever destroys a life will be credited as having destroyed the entire world.” Every murdered person leaves a painful void that cannot be filled in the family, in the Jewish people and in the world.
While 12 candles were lit in memory of the 1,200 murdered, the senior cantor of the IKG Vienna, Shmuel Barzilai, sang the Jewish funeral prayer “El male rachamim”.
After a minute’s silence, Marianne Mamat-Grinberg and Shoval Abend Plotzki remembered their family members who have been held hostage since October 7, 2023.
Mamat-Grinberg spoke about her nephew Bar Kupershtein. He was on duty as a paramedic during the Nova Music Festival. A friend who was able to save himself reported that Bar refused to abandon the injured. After contact was lost, the family tried to obtain information via social media channels. Pictures then appeared on Telegram that showed him tied up on the ground with others in Gaza. Since then, the family has lived in constant fear for his life. She appeals to the world not to give up on him.
Shoval Abend Plotzki introduced his uncle Ohad Ben Ami, who was abducted with his wife Raz from Kibbutz Be’eri to the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023. While Raz was released, there was still no trace of Ohad. Efforts to free him and the other hostages are unlikely to stop. The terrorist organization Hamas must be withdrawn from any form of support. He asked everyone to ask themselves: “What can I do?” (final) sox
A NOTICE: Photos You can find information about this memorial event in the Parliament web portal.