‘Blood only brings more blood’: Israelis and Palestinians share grief under veil of secrecy
‘Blood only brings more blood’: Israelis and Palestinians share grief under veil of secrecy
On the eve of Israel’s Memorial Day, a symbolic gathering of Israelis and Palestinians took place, marking the 21st year of a joint memorial ceremony. The event, held Monday evening, brought together bereaved families from both sides of a protracted conflict, with participants joining in person and online. Despite the ongoing war and years of strife, the ceremony symbolized a rare moment of shared mourning.
The location of the event was revealed only at the last minute, with secondary venues shared exclusively with registered attendees. Organizers cited fears of violence and harassment as the reason for this secrecy, emphasizing that it was the only way to ensure the gathering could occur. This year, the ceremony was also broadcast to multiple locations, allowing remote participation and shielding some from potential threats.
A message of peace amid loss
“Pain does not belong to one mother or one people,” said Khuloud Hoshieh, a mother from Jenin in the occupied West Bank. Her son was killed by Israeli military gunfire in January 2023, and another remains in administrative detention. “We have chosen the path of peace, despite all the losses… because blood only brings more blood,” she added in a video message.
“Today I am here because this is where hope is,” stated Liora Eilon, 73, a survivor of the Kfar Aza massacre. Her son Tal was among the casualties of Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. “This is a place that gives me the strength to believe that one day we will speak – and it will end.”
The event was organized by two grassroots groups, the Parents Circle Families Forum and Combatants for Peace, which focus on fostering dialogue and reconciliation. Around 1,000 people attended the main gathering in Tel Aviv, with a parallel event in Jericho. Viewings in Israel and globally reached tens of thousands, offering a broader audience to witness the shared grief.
Palestinians unable to cross into Israel submitted pre-recorded messages, including one from Nahil Hanouna in Gaza. “We Palestinians are human beings like everyone else,” he said. “We want to live in peace and freedom, to raise our children without fear.” His words underscored the hope for peace, even as war continued to claim lives.
Political tensions and defiance
Despite the event’s purpose, it has become a focal point of political discord. Right-wing activists affiliated with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government targeted a Tel Aviv screening, chanting slogans like “Death to leftists” and playing loud music. Likud lawmakers also urged the public broadcaster to remove a promotional ad, branding the ceremony as “a provocation disguised as reconciliation.”
Earlier this year, protesters in Raanana stormed a reform synagogue hosting a screening, yelling “Death to Arabs” and “May your village burn.” Police intervened, but no indictments were filed. Nevertheless, attendees this year showed resilience, remaining committed to dialogue and the possibility of peace.
The October 7 attacks resulted in over 1,200 Israeli fatalities, while the subsequent Gaza war led to more than 72,000 Palestinian deaths. Recent settler violence in the West Bank has further strained relations, with a March survey revealing just 26% of Jewish Israelis support negotiations with the Palestinian Authority. Only 13% believe peace is achievable in the near future, according to a 2025 Gallup poll in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Yet, amid these figures, the ceremony persisted. For Ayala Metzger, whose father-in-law was killed in Hamas captivity after being taken during the October 7 attacks, the event was a way to ensure her relative’s death “will not be in vain.” Her presence highlighted the enduring determination of those who believe in coexistence, even as political forces seek to undermine it.
