Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, has called for remembrance, unity, and a renewed commitment to peace during a memorial ceremony held in Abuja on Sunday evening.
The event marked two years since the October 7th attack in Israel, when hundreds of civilians were killed and others taken hostage in a surprise assault that sparked a protracted conflict.
Addressing a gathering of diplomats, community members, and supporters, Ambassador Freeman reflected on the human cost of the violence and urged empathy for all victims of the war.
“As we remember the victims of October 7th, we also have sympathy for the innocent Palestinians who have lost their lives in this war.
“A war that Israel never wanted. A war Israel never started. A war that was forced upon us,” the envoy noted.
Freeman stressed the value Israel places on human life, saying, “We grieve for every innocent soul, because we value life — all life.”
He also expressed gratitude to Israel’s allies and international partners for their support.
“We are grateful to those who stood by us, to friends who have travelled across the world, to governments who stood by our side,” he said.
The ambassador specifically acknowledged United States President Donald Trump, praising his efforts during the crisis.
“I must express my deepest gratitude to President Donald Trump for his steadfast support, his courage in recognising the truth others ignore, and his unique efforts in bringing our hostages home and finally helping end this war,” he noted.
Concluding his speech, Freeman offered a message of hope.
“Our prayer is that out of this darkness, a better future may yet emerge. Not only for Israelis, but for Palestinians. And for our region, and the world.
“A future where children grow up not under the shadow of rockets, or the grip of terror, but under the light of peace,” the envoy noted.
He ended with a tribute to the victims. “May the souls of the victims be bound in the bond of life. May their memories be a blessing. And may we, the living, ensure that their sacrifice strengthens our resolve to defend truth, justice, and the right of the Jewish people to live freely in their ancestral land,” he said.
A virtual poignant testimony from Ella Mor, the aunt of former Israeli hostage five-year Avigail, shared a virtual testimony recounting the October 7 attack on her family’s home in Kfar Aza.
She described how Hamas militants killed several family members, while the surviving children hid for hours without assistance.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched a large-scale surprise attack on southern Israel, breaching the Gaza-Israel border and targeting multiple communities near the Gaza Strip.
The Times of Israel reported that the attack caused the deaths of more than 1,000 Israelis, including civilians, soldiers, and foreign nationals. Hundreds more were injured, and more than 200 people were taken hostage by Hamas, including women, children, and elderly citizens.
The attack marked an escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and led to the beginning of a wide-reaching military campaign by Israel against Gaza. The ensuing conflict has resulted in thousands of casualties on both sides and widespread destruction, further deepening the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Efforts to secure the release of hostages have led to ongoing exchanges, following intensive negotiations and international mediation.
