The Knesset plenum passed in its first reading on Wednesday a bill to establish a national day of remembrance to commemorate the October 7 massacre, proposing to set the day for the Hebrew calendar date of the 24th of Tishrei.
The bill passed unanimously, with 18 votes in favor and none against. It will now move to Knesset committee discussions and must pass two additional readings before becoming law. According to the bill, the legislation is intended to preserve the memory of the October 7 massacre and is based on three central components. The proposal received backing from both coalition and opposition lawmakers.
First, the bill proposes establishing a national day of remembrance for the attacks. It designates the 24th of Tishrei in the Hebrew calendar as the official day of commemoration. If the date falls on a Friday or Saturday, the memorial observance will be held on the following Sunday.
On the designated day, state ceremonies will be held, the national flag will be lowered to half-mast at state institutions, and a special session will take place in the Knesset. Second, the bill proposes the establishment of a Commemoration, Memory, and Heritage Authority dedicated to the events of October 7. The authority would be responsible for overseeing commemoration activities and preserving the national memory of the attacks.
The authority would organize memorial events for those murdered and fallen, as well as for former and slain hostages.
October 7 bill: New memorial authority, museum planned
It would also be tasked with collecting, documenting, researching, preserving, and making accessible testimonies and related materials. In addition, the authority would promote awareness of the events both in Israel and abroad and cooperate with other commemorative bodies.
Until the authority is formally established, the bill stipulates that the Prime Minister’s Office will coordinate remembrance, documentation, and commemoration activities.
Third, the bill proposes establishing a memorial site and museum in southern Israel, where the Hamas attacks took place.
There has been conflict and debate in the country regarding how to commemorate the October 7 massacre.
Specifically, in 2024, one year after the attacks, the country split in its ceremonies, as bereaved families and victims of the attacks rejected attending a ceremony that was led by the government. Instead, an alternative public memorial was initiated by bereaved families and survivors to commemorate the attacks on a separate day.