Minister Miri Regev convened a press conference today (Thursday) amid preparations for the state ceremony to commemorate the October 7 massacre - and addressed criticism of her selection for the position of head of the ceremony.
Against the backdrop of protests from several kibbutzim in the Gaza Envelope who announced that they would boycott the ceremony, she said: "I have been responsible for the state ceremonies for a decade, and there are always those who are unfortunately not happy, but they are not many. I ignore the noise and will continue to lead the ceremony with sensitivity, seriousness and respect for those who are angry and critical, because I understand their pain.".
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She added that she is "taking into account that there will be alternative ceremonies to commemorate the October Sabbath, just as there are those who hold Palestinian-Israeli ceremonies on Memorial Day" - she said in light of the intention of the families of the abductees to hold a separate memorial ceremony.
She added: "Compare me to Hamas or Sinwar?! Is there no limit to the statements? I don't have a family? Parents? Children? How far will the incitement go just because of political hatred. If you examine the ceremonies I have held over the past decade, such as the torchlight ceremony held a few months ago, terrible and harsh statements were directed at me before the ceremony, and in reality it was an emotional and unifying ceremony that actually was. Enough with the hatred and lies, I understand the pain and anger, but there is a limit to incitement and division.".
Regev explained at the press conference: "Our state ceremony is intended for everyone, despite the disagreements and anger. I understand the hearts of those who are angry with us, the state, the government, and the security forces. I too have difficult questions, and the time will come for that too. Immediately after the end of the war, I will be the first to act to establish a commission of inquiry. But it is impossible not to mark the year of the massacre in a stately manner.".
""We are one people in one country. I treat this ceremony with sacred reverence. I have been responsible for the state ceremonies for about a decade. I am used to being abducted, they are not many, but they are never satisfied. The ceremonies touch the souls of many who need them. Just as we unite on Memorial Day, we should unite on October 7th.
According to her, "People from all walks of life, civilians and security forces from all over the country, were murdered and kidnapped. There is no home in the country that has not experienced the tragedy and pain.".
Regev announced that the ceremony will be held without an audience, she said, to honor the memory of the victims. "No one has been invited to the ceremony yet," she said, in light of Yair Lapid's announcement that he would not attend, even though he was not invited at all.
""The ceremony will be held without an audience out of a desire to be respectful. Due to the war, it is not possible to hold a ceremony in a stadium with 40,000 people, so it will be held without an audience so as not to harm any population. It will not be broadcast live. These decisions will allow us to hold a ceremony as a respectful television broadcast that can reach every home in Israel.".
The director of the ceremony, Ran Tzahor, said at a press conference: "I intend to give artistic expression to the terrible cry for the brokenness and pain of everyone, without rounding corners and without normalizing. It hurts sharply and clearly. We intend not to forget anyone. I am not a politician, not anyone's mouthpiece, and not a rubber stamp. I appeal to everyone - be a part of it. This ceremony is not for the Israeli government, it is for the people of Israel, the Israeli society that needs it so much.".
Many kibbutzim and communities in the Gaza Envelope, including Kfar Gaza, Nahal Oz, Nir Oz, Nirim, and Yad Mordechai, have already announced that they will not participate.
On the other hand, in Sderot and Ofakim, they announced that they would take part in the state ceremony.
