Former Israeli hostage Eli Sharabi, alongside actress Shani Cohen, will host the third civil memorial ceremony for the October 7 massacre, the “Kumu” movement, which is organizing the ceremony, announced.
The ceremony, with bereaved families, former hostages, representatives of affected communities and artists, will take place on the anniversary of the massacre at Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv.
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Eli Sharabi at a rally, Tel Aviv, about a year ago. Credit: Nir Keidar
Eli Sharabi at a rally, Tel Aviv, about a year ago. Credit: Nir Keidar
In the absence of a state memorial ceremony on October 7, the civil ceremony will effectively be the only one held that day. The “Kumu” movement launched a crowdfunding campaign for the event, calling on the public to continue to donate.
Sharabi, a resident of Kibbutz Be’eri near the Gaza border, was abducted on October 7 and released in a deal in February 2025 after 491 days in captivity.
After his release, he discovered that his wife, Liyan, and their two daughters, Noya and Yahel, were murdered in the Hamas attack, and his brother, Yossi Sharabi, who was also abducted, was murdered in captivity.
“October 7 must remain etched in our hearts,” Sharabi said. “It must not be blurred, and time must not make us forget it. This terrible day must not pass without a national, central and meaningful ceremony.
Cohen said she was “proud to host the ceremony alongside a man who chose life despite everything he went through,” adding: “This is something that deeply moves me, our strength to overcome the terrible difficulty and empower others along the way.”