Countries commemorate first anniversary of Hamas attack on Israel

Vigils, commemorations and acts of remembrance were planned across the world to mark one year since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, as world leaders called for an end to antisemitism and the release of Israeli hostages.

Last year’s surprise cross-border attack, which killed about 1,200 people, caught Israel unprepared on a major Jewish holiday, shattering Israelis’ sense of security and leaving many countries, already on edge over Russia’s war in Ukraine, facing the prospect of another major conflict in the Middle East.

The nations of Europe, home to many Jewish and Muslim communities, have sought to tamp down both antisemitic and anti-Muslim sentiment in the wake of the Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent war against the militants in Gaza, which has killed over 41,000 people and displaced around 1.9 million in the embattled coastal territory.

Francis made no mention of Israel, Hamas or the hostages in the letter dated October 7.

He referred to the “fuse of hatred” being ignited one year ago and the spiral of violence that has ensued, insisting that what is needed is dialogue and peace.

“I am with you, the people of Gaza, long embattled and in dire straits. You are in my thoughts and prayers daily,” he wrote.

After some comments that upset Israel early on in the conflict, Francis has usually tried to strike an even tone. But he recently suggested Israel was using disproportionate and “immoral” force in Lebanon and Gaza.

The German chancellery in Berlin was adorned with a yellow ribbon commemorating the Israeli hostages taken by Hamas, around 100 of whom remain in captivity, with many of them feared dead.

The names of the people killed and kidnapped in the attack on Israel were read out in front of the Brandenburg Gate starting at 5.29am local time in Germany, when Hamas’ onslaught began a year ago.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a video message on Sunday that “with its abhorrent attack on Israel, Hamas at the same time caused a catastrophe for the Palestinian people”.

He stressed the need for a ceasefire in Gaza and international efforts to avoid an even wider Mideast conflagration.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, who has voiced strong support for Israel, commemorated the October 7 anniversary by visiting the main synagogue in Rome and reaffirming Israel’s right to defend itself.

While asserting Israel’s lights to live safely within its borders, Ms Meloni insisted it respect international law and lamented the devastation unleashed by Israeli forces in Gaza.

She said Palestinians in Gaza had been “victims twice over: first of Hamas’ cynicism, which uses them as human shields, and then of Israeli military operations”.

A mural in Milan depicting a survivor escaping the Hamas attack was vandalised on Monday. Vandals erased the figure’s head and legs from the mural near Milan’s state university.

The Antisemitism Observatory in Milan said the vandalism is an example of rising and “overpowering” antisemitism in Italy.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on social media: “The pain remains, as vivid as it was a year ago. The pain of the Israeli people. Ours. The pain of wounded humanity.

“We do not forget the victims, the hostages, or the families with broken hearts from absence or waiting. I send them our fraternal thoughts.”

Later, Mr Macron held meetings with the families of two French nationals who are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip and families of victims of the October 7 attacks living in France, his office said.

Mr Macron said France will do “everything possible” to push for a ceasefire and an agreement that would allow the release of Ohad Yahalomi and Ofer Kalderon, the French hostages, as a priority, the statement said.

French foreign minister Jean-Noel Barrot attended a memorial service at the site of the Nova music festival, in Re’im, Israel, where hundreds were killed.

“The joyful dawn of what should have been a day of celebration was suddenly torn apart by unspeakable horror,” he said.

In Prague, hundreds of people with Israeli flags gathered at the Old Town Square at the heart of the Czech capital to honour the victims of Hamas’s attack.

“On this day, we don’t just mourn, but we’re also aware that it’s necessary to do everything to give such attacks no chance to happen again,” Petr Papousek, the head of the Federation of Jewish Communities in the Czech Republic, said in his address.

“Israel will always strive for the world without violence in which people live without fear of terror,” Mr Papousek said.

He said that their gathering “reminds us that hope is stronger than fear and love is stronger that hate.”

Commemorations were planned in France, Belgium, Spain, Austria and Hungary, while leading European politicians were also expected to take part in remembering those killed and kidnapped.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen attended a ceremony at a synagogue in Brussels.

Former US president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris marked the first anniversary as the presidential candidates approach the final weeks of the campaign during the widening conflict in the Middle East.

Mr Trump visited the New York City gravesite of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who led the Chabad-Lubavitch movement of Orthodox Judaism from 1951 until his death in 1994.

Wearing a black kippah, or skullcap, Mr Trump left a stone on top of the headstone of Mr Schneerson’s grave in a traditional Jewish custom. He was planning later on Monday to speak before Jewish community leaders at one of his Florida resorts in the Miami suburb of Doral.

Ms Harris said she would remain committed to Israel’s security and the release of hostages held by Hamas, naming several of them in her remarks. She also mentioned a need to “relieve the immense suffering of innocent Palestinians in Gaza who have experienced so much pain and loss over the year”.

Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman, spoke after Ms Harris to say “this is an incredibly challenging day for Jews around the world, myself included.”

“Today feels just as raw as it did one year ago,” he said, describing the attack as “seared into our souls”.

A fledgling pomegranate tree was planted at the Vice President’s Residence, and Ms Harris and Mr Emhoff used shovels to cover the roots with dirt. When they finished, they paused and bowed their heads.

Earlier on Monday, Ms Harris’s husband Doug Emhoff, who is Jewish, recited a prayer for peace at an event to commemorate the anniversary hosted by the American Jewish Committee in Washington.

The Bidens looked on as Rabbi Aaron Alexander of Washington’s Adas Israel Congregation recited the Jewish remembrance prayer, listing the towns, villages and festival site that were the scenes of the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust.

The president then lit a lone memorial candle placed on a small table at the centre of the Blue Room, before they observed a moment of silence.

Earlier in the day, Mr Biden spoke to Israeli President Isaac Herzog, the White House said.

In Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese attended a vigil in Melbourne, where he walked with members of the Jewish community and lawmakers from across party lines. Thousands attended the vigil.

Earlier in the morning, Mr Albanese said the day carried “terrible pain,” and that his government “unequivocally” condemned Hamas’ actions.

“Since the atrocities of October 7, Jewish Australians have felt the cold shadows of antisemitism reaching into the present day, and as a nation we say never again,” he said. “We unequivocally condemn all prejudice and hatred.”

In Pakistan’s largest city of Karachi, schoolchildren took part in a rally organised by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League party to protest against Israeli air strikes in the Middle East and show solidarity with Palestinian people living in Gaza and Lebanon.

Japanese officials expressed condolences to the Israelis who lost family members in the Hamas attacks, renewing their condemnation of terrorism and demanding the immediate release of all hostages.

Chief cabinet secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that Japan is seriously concerned about the continuing critical humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and urged all parties including Israel to comply with international humanitarian law and work toward a ceasefire.