Protests Erupt Over Israeli Culture Minister’s Remarks on October 7 Attacks

Protests have erupted against Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar following his comments downplaying the severity of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks. Families of victims and anti-government protesters have voiced outrage over Zohar’s statements, accusing him of minimizing the atrocities and exhibiting a “victim mentality.”

Zohar’s Controversial Statements

The controversy began after Zohar supported the Prime Minister’s Office’s decision to remove the word “massacre” from a bill commemorating the October 7 attacks. He further stated that referring to the events as a “massacre” reflected a “victim mentality.”

Zohar argued that “The State of Israel is a strong state. The days when it was possible to massacre the State of Israel are no longer.” He acknowledged that Israelis can be killed or hurt, but maintained that a “massacre” of the nation was no longer possible.

Protests and Condemnation

Representatives from the October Council, an organization representing families of those murdered on October 7, protested outside Zohar’s home in Kiryat Gat. They declared, “There is no place for massacre deniers in the government of Israel.” They accused him of failing to take responsibility and apologizing, and of blaming the victims.

Anti-government protesters also rallied outside Zohar’s home, expressing anger over his remarks.

Hila Abir, whose sister Lotan was murdered during the Nova festival, questioned Zohar’s comments, asking, “What’s the difference between him and Holocaust deniers?” She emphasized, “There was a massacre. We can’t evade that.”

Government’s Position on Terminology

The government initially requested the removal of the word “massacre” from the bill establishing a national day of remembrance for the victims. Yoel Elbaz, a representative of the Prime Minister’s Office, argued that October 7 involved both “massacre” and “heroism.” While the word remains in the text of the law, it was removed from the title, now referring to the “events” of the day.