As Israel observes the second anniversary of Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023 attack, CNN notes that there is no official state ceremony to mark the date — a deliberate decision rooted in both tradition and timing.
Israel typically commemorates national tragedies according to the Hebrew calendar, not the Gregorian one. Therefore, the National Day of Remembrance for October 7 has been set for 24 Tishrei, which this year falls on October 16, 2025. On that day, the official ceremony will take place at Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, attended by the country’s highest-ranking officials.
Another reason for the lack of official commemoration today is that October 7 coincides with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, prompting many memorial activities to be held earlier or postponed.
However, thousands of Israelis are expected to gather this evening for a civil remembrance concert, organized for the second year in a row by KUMU (Hebrew for “Rise Up”) — a non-profit founded by residents of southern Israel and survivors of the October 7 attacks.
The concert will feature artistic performances, live national broadcasts, and tributes to Israeli hostages still held in Gaza. Some released hostages and family members are also scheduled to speak on stage.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed that this year, alongside pain and remembrance, the ceremony will also symbolize the end of the war,” said Yonatan Shimriz, one of KUMU’s co-founders and event organizers.
