Israelis celebrate Simchat Torah near Nova Festival site despite ban by police, KKL-JNF
The celebration follows a similar event at the site in 2025, which angered the families of October 7 attack victims. As a result, the JNF and police banned such events in 2026.
On Saturday, a group of Israelis gathered near the Nova Music Festival memorial site in southern Israel to celebrate Simchat Torah, despite bans issued by the Israel Police and the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF). The event organizers had urged the public to respect the various ways families observe the day their loved ones passed away in the October 7 attack.
However, KKL-JNF officials stated that the memorial is a place for remembrance and communion, and visits during the holiday are allowed only for that purpose. In coordination with police and security authorities, no permission was granted for events or activities not related to remembrance and communion at the site. KKL-JNF Chairman Eyal Ostrinsky emphasized the importance of preserving the sanctity and memory of the victims, comparing the situation to holding a celebration at Auschwitz or any other cemetery.
Following a similar event in 2025 that upset the families of October 7 victims, the ban on such celebrations at the Nova site was implemented this year. A bereaved family member expressed outrage, stating that the celebration is akin to desecrating the memories of those who lost their lives.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
