Vowing “We will dance again,” he said, “They can hurt us, but they can never beat us. We were stronger than them, and it will remain so.”
After this emotional address, the crowd stood still in a minute’s silence for the victims.
Several bereaved mothers joined the singer Zehava Ben to perform the song in Hebrew, My Life.
Iris Ben Lulu, who lost her 25 year-old son Orel Abuhatzira, who was managing the bar at the festival, said: “Since October 7, everything burst out and I feel there are no limits, no barriers and everything is free, and I am allowed to express myself and the pain. It’s very exciting that they gave us the right and the platform. I’m sure out children are proud.”
Moran Stela Yanai, who was kidnapped on October 7 and released in an exchange in November, said: “I’m here to take you with me to this moment, let’s do something big with all your powerful energy. With all the love. Let’s show everyone that we have a common, united goal.”
