US President Joe Biden issued a special statement Monday to mark the first anniversary of the October 7 tragedy. He spoke of a day that should have been a joyous Jewish holiday but instead became the deadliest for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Biden expressed profound sorrow for the loss of more than 1,200 lives, including 46 Americans, and reaffirmed his commitment to Israel's security and the release of hostages still held by Hamas.
In his statement, Biden said: "Today marks one year of mourning for the more than 1,200 innocent people of all ages, including 46 Americans, massacred in southern Israel by the terrorist group Hamas. One year since Hamas committed horrific acts of sexual violence. One year since more than 250 innocents were taken hostage, including 12 Americans. One year for the survivors carrying wounds, seen and unseen, who will never be the same. And one year of a devastating war."
Biden emphasized that the United States stands behind Israel's right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthi rebels. He recalled how American forces assisted in protecting Israel from Iran's ballistic missile attack just last week.
Biden condemned the global surge in antisemitism and called for a united front against all forms of hatred. He also expressed hope that October 7 would be remembered as a dark day for Palestinians due to the conflict it sparked. "We will not stop working to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza that brings the hostages home, allows for a surge in humanitarian aid to ease the suffering on the ground, assures Israel's security, and ends this war," he said.
The president concluded with a call for unity and reaffirmed his administration's commitment to regional stability and diplomatic solutions. "We also continue to believe that a diplomatic solution across the Israel-Lebanon border region is the only path to restore lasting calm and allow residents on both sides to return safely to their homes."
Vice President Kamala Harris reiterated her commitment to Israel's security and the release of the hostages: "I will do everything in my power to ensure that the threat Hamas poses is eliminated, that it is never again able to govern Gaza, that it fails in its mission to annihilate Israel, and that the people of Gaza are free from the grip of Hamas. I will never stop fighting for the release of all the hostages, including the seven American citizens, living and deceased, still held: Omer, Edan, Sagui, Keith, Judy, Gad, and Itay."
October 7, 2023 was a day of unimaginable horrors for Israel.
In observance of the one-year anniversary, I ask my fellow Texans to join me in a moment of silence for the people of Israel and the seven Americans still held hostage.
Texas will always stand with Israel. pic.twitter.com/mAHWl3aB7H
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) September 30, 2024
Texas Governor Greg Abbott proclaimed October 7, 2024, as a "day of observance for Israel" in a statement: "During this observance, flags of the State of Texas and the United States of America will be lowered to half-staff, and many entities across the state will erect moving displays featuring empty chairs to symbolize the Americans kept from their loved ones."
French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently suggested considering an arms embargo on Israel, tweeted in Hebrew, English, and French: "October 7. The pain remains, as vivid as it was a year ago. The pain of the Israeli people. Ours. The pain of wounded humanity. We do not forget the victims, the hostages, or the families with broken hearts from absence or waiting. I send them our fraternal thoughts."
October 7.
The pain remains, as vivid as it was a year ago. The pain of the Israeli people. Ours. The pain of wounded humanity.
We do not forget the victims, the hostages, or the families with broken hearts from absence or waiting. I send them our fraternal thoughts.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) October 7, 2024
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who was among the first to visit Israel and express public support after October 7, issued a special statement Monday morning: "There can be no justification for Hamas' acts of terror. They brought immense suffering not only upon the people of Israel, but also upon innocent Palestinians. We reiterate our call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, for the unconditional release of all hostages and for an end to the conflict. One year on, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is appalling. The European Union will keep doing its utmost to mobilise financial assistance and facilitate deliveries and distribution of humanitarian aid, to the Palestinian people, and now also in Lebanon. Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel ignited a spiral of violence which has brought the entire region to a state of extreme tension and volatility. All parties must act responsibly, with restraint, and engage to de-escalate the current tensions."
She also addressed goals for after the wars end: "While we address the immediate crisis, the European Union is ready to help prepare for the day after. We will work in support of all efforts to set the conditions for a durable peace, leading to a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine coexist side-by-side in peace, with security for both. It's the only viable path forward, to finally end the suffering."
The new NATO Secretary General and former Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte, expressed support for Israel: "One year on from October 7, my thoughts are with the people of #Israel, with the families of the victims and hostages taken by Hamas. I welcome efforts by Allies to bring about a ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and an end to the conflict."
Dutch politician Geert Wilders, known for his staunch support of Israel, tweeted a message of solidarity against the backdrop of the Israeli flag: "Today we honor the innocent victims of the barbaric Islamic terrorist attack on October 7 last year in Israel. But commemorating isn't enough; there must also be commitment. This day's memory only holds value when we wholeheartedly support Israel in its existential struggle for survival, while those behind the attacks – the terrorist organizations Hamas, Hezbollah, and all their affiliates – are destroyed. We must confront antisemites in our country and expel them wherever possible."
Argentinian President Javier Milei tweeted in Hebrew and English, "Our hearts are captive in Gaza. BRING THEM HOME NOW."
הלב שלנו שבוי בעזה
BRING THEM HOME NOW— Javier Milei (@JMilei) October 7, 2024
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a known supporter of Israel, also issued a statement: "A year after the October 7 massacre it feels as though the world is forgetting the horror and the evil that took place that day. It is time for us to stand with Israel. Bring back moral clarity. Bring back the hostages."
A year after the October 7 massacre it feels as though the world is forgetting the horror and the evil that took place that day.
It is time for us to stand with Israel.
Bring back moral clarity. Bring back the hostages. pic.twitter.com/fkhQ6eulBn
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) October 7, 2024
Other politicians also expressed solidarity with Israel on its day of mourning. Matteo Salvini, Italy's Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, wrote: "A year after the horrific massacre on October 7, our thoughts are with the Israeli people – with children killed in their cradles, young lives cut short, women violated, those who died in captivity, and those still held hostage. We must always remember Israel's right to exist, to defend itself against Islamic terror, and finally to live in peace with its neighbors."
In Germany, the hostage symbol was placed in the German Parliament. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz posted a picture of the hostage symbol in the Bundestag and wrote, "We share your grief."
Justice Minister Marco Buschmann added: "The Hamas terror attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, was the largest mass murder of Jews since the end of the Holocaust. Israel continues to be a target for terrorist actions. As any country would, Israel defends itself against these attacks... We protect Jewish life in Germany... We stand with Israel and with the Jews in Germany."
We share your grief. pic.twitter.com/T89QnG1QOE
— Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) October 7, 2024
Several foreign ministries worldwide also sent special messages. The Danish Foreign Ministry tweeted: "Today, on 7 October, we mourn the loss of lives caused by Hamas' brutal terrorist attack against Israel one year ago. More than 100 people are still held hostages in Gaza. Our thoughts go out to all of those affected by the tragic event."
Spain's Foreign Ministry, one of the more critical voices towards Israel, also published a statement. However, Israel's name was notably absent: "The Spanish Government recalls and restates its strongest condemnation of the atrocious Hamas terrorist attacks of 7 October 2023 and conveys its solidarity to the families and relatives of the victims."
