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Credit: Ronen Topelberg

We Will Never Forget

MWU hosted a special memorial ceremony to mark one year since the October 7 events, which also featured the formal opening of the UNBROKEN exhibition. Attendees included survivors, family members, and loved ones of the victims, along with MWU and M25 leadership.

  • 22 October, 2024

Michael Siegal, president of Maccabi World Union, stated: “This memorial was designed to never forget those who have fallen and those yet to be returned. This wonderful exhibition will be open to the public, and then we hope that other Jewish museums around the world will take into consideration and show this tribute to those who fell on October 7th, and these athletes will never be forgotten.”

MWU CEO Amir Gissin emphasized: "Today, we commemorate one year since the October 7 attacks—a tragic event that deeply affected Israeli society and changed our reality. Even after twelve months, the struggle continues, with 101 hostages still unreturned, and the pain endures. We stand in solidarity with families who have lost their loved ones and those fighting for the safe return of their loved ones over the past year".

"Recently, we celebrated the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, but our joy was incomplete", Gissin continued. "We wish a swift and complete recovery to all the injured, both physically and emotionally. To the evacuees from every corner of our country, may you return home safely. To our brave soldiers, may you come back unharmed. And, of course, we hope for the swift and safe return of our 101 brothers and sisters still held captive by Hamas. May the New Year bring us all good news".

Among the relatives present were:

Sharon Kotz, sister of Aviv Kotz, who, along with his wife Livnat and their three children—Rotem, Yonatan, and Yiftach— were tragically murdered in their home in Kibbutz Kfaz Gaza on that Black Saturday. The Kotz family was a symbol of love, laughter, and hope. Aviv shared his passion for sports with his sons, Yonatan and Yiftach, who excelled at Hapoel Tel Aviv's academy and were some of the most promising players on the youth team.

Eli, uncle of Inbar Haiman, also known as "Pink," was also in attendance. Inbar, a talented graffiti artist and devoted Maccabi Haifa fan, was kidnapped from the party at Kibbutz Reim, and 71 days later, her family received the heartbreaking news of her murder in Hamas captivity.

Shir Hermesh - sister of Omer Hermesh, a passionate fan of Hapoel Tel Aviv involved in community initiatives – also remembered her brother, who was tragically murdered by Hamas terrorists in his home at Kfar Gaza Kibbutz. Omer was a brilliant, curious young man with a unique sense of humor who worked with children in informal education, captivating them with his vibrant personality.

May the memory of our beloved heroes be a blessing.

The ceremony was broadcast live, allowing MWU family members from around the world to join us in this significant event. A recording of the ceremony is available here: