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Israel’s war of words Official memorial ceremony Celebrations to mark the first anniversary of October 7 continue. Last weekend, the Minister of Transport Miri Regev Despite much controversy, she has insisted on continuing to lead the state’s official commemoration of the October 7 attacks.
President Isaac Herzog proposed hosting the event at his official residence to depoliticize the ceremony, but Regev criticized the proposal, arguing that it was inappropriate to hold a state ceremony at the presidential residence and claiming that the event should be held in southern Israel.
Several communities in Gaza have already refused to attend government-led ceremonies, choosing instead to focus on commemorations. The government is so worried about a public backlash that they have prevented spectators from attending, as they did at this year’s Independence Day ceremony, saying instead that it will be pre-recorded. This boycott, incidentally – representing the opinions and feelings of some of those directly affected by October 7 – was described by Regev as “noise”.
In a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Herzog said holding the ceremony in his jurisdiction “will help calm controversy and prevent unnecessary quarrels and disputes between different sectors of society.”
He also stressed that the ceremony at the presidential palace will be solemn, inclusive and free from political influence. The ceremony will include traditional national symbols such as the lowering of flags to half-mast and the recitation of the Jewish mourners’ prayer Kaddish. He also clarified that the event will not interfere with the rights of individual communities to hold their own commemorations on the anniversary of the October 7 attacks.
This seemed like the right way to curb the painful emotions that were currently spiraling out of control.
Herzog The president has stepped up before. Just 18 months ago, when the country seemed to be falling apart, he stepped up and unveiled his “People’s Framework” proposal to replace the government’s plans to overhaul the justice system.
Israel’s president is a figurehead, almost (but not entirely) ceremonial. Real power rests with the prime minister. Yet Herzog has found himself representing the voice of reason in a country that seems to be perpetually at a turning point from which it may not recover.
Regev disagreed, however, and on Saturday she claimed Herzog was “taking sides” by proposing without contacting her first.
She told Channel 14: “The state ceremony will not take place at the presidential palace, it’s not possible. It needs to take place in the south.”
“He showed by sending this letter that he had chosen a side,” Regev claimed. “There could have been a sit-down and an understanding. I believe the president’s intentions were good, but as someone who knows me and has spoken to me, he could have come and spoken to me and the prime minister before writing the letter.”
There is no such thing as “standing” when it comes to commemorating the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust.
Self-transcendence compromise
It seems the minister had little idea of what her words meant. Was Regev and her ego offended by the fact that the president did not address her directly? Regev has been the subject of controversy over the past 10 years and her record of presiding over state ceremonies seems to be more troublesome than it is. One only needs to look at the 2018 Independence Day ceremony and her attitude towards the Jewish diaspora to see this. Her appointment to organize the October event was certainly controversial and her refusal of Herzog’s offer was simply childish.
At a time when Israel is fighting on four fronts – from the north to Gaza, the West Bank, and Iran’s threats against Israel – Regev has chosen to foment civil unrest in the country without considering the best interests of the citizens directly affected by the events of October 7.
As he did 18 months ago, the president tried to reach a compromise that would avoid adding to the anger, pain and anxiety of so many of Israel’s citizens, feelings that are likely to intensify as the Oct. 7 anniversary approaches.
Compromise. That’s a word Regev and many of her colleagues should clearly learn.
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