HOUSTON — Oct. 7, 2023 is when terror group Hamas attacked Israel -- leading to a deadly conflict that has escalated in the Middle East.
Local and national leaders spent Monday honoring the lives lost and calling for a peaceful resolution, including the release of hostages.
“There’s a lot of grieving our community has been doing in the past year,” said Renee Wizig-Barrios, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston.
The synagogue for Congregation Beth Yushurun is where over 2,000 people will gather for remembrance, unity, and hope.
“We’re still at war and we have 150 hostages in Gaza, that weighs heavy on people’s minds,” Wizig-Barrios said.
This year she went on a mission trip to Israel. The war also weighs heavy on Palestinians in Houston.
“Today represents a day of immense grief,” said Faoud Salah, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement.
Salah spent the weekend peacefully protesting in Houston. Other protests have been held over the past year.
Since the war, Israel’s defense efforts have led to the deaths of nearly 42,000 people in Gaza, according to the AP, leading for calls to end the war.
“The people of the city, of this state and of this country are turning quicker than our politicians are adapting to and so we see the politicians that have called for a ceasefire and have called for an arms embargo as a progressive step forward to ending this genocide,” Salah said.
The war sparked a rise in anti-Semitism within Texas and the U.S., according to the Anti-Defamation League.
“Particularly for the Jewish community which has been an ally for others on human rights issues we want allies to understand our plight now,” Wizig-Barrios said.
In a difficult moment, all faith communities prayed for several goals, including the return of hostages and working toward a peaceful resolution.
“We feel deeply at the loss and innocent suffering of civilians on both sides, but Jewish neighbors need to hear from you, they need to know you’ll stand up to Jewish hate,” Wizig-Barrios said.
Other public officials including President Joe Biden and Governor Greg Abbott showed solidarity with Israel in different ceremonies.