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On Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel there are doubts about ‘never again’.
Bryan Passifiume
Exigent Witness Fellow
Journalist/Toronto Sun
Source
date
FORMAT
National Post
May 6, 2024
Article
topics
Middle East Context
Western Values & Democratic Norms
Context
In this field report from Israel during Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day), Bryan Passifiume documents how the national day of reflection unfolded in the shadow of the October 7 attacks. Sirens sounded across the country as Israelis paused in silence, while artillery exchanges continued near Gaza. The article references the massacre that killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in over 250 hostages, noting that many remain in captivity. Interviews with residents and observers describe a heightened sense of vulnerability and renewed debate over the meaning of “Never Again.” The piece situates Holocaust remembrance within current security threats and ongoing military operations.
Key Insight
The article highlights how October 7 has reshaped Israeli interpretations of Holocaust memory. For some, the attacks intensified concerns about Jewish security and the fragility of deterrence, reframing “Never Again” as a contemporary security question rather than solely historical reflection.
Implications For Canadians
For Canadians, the piece underscores how collective memory influences national security policy and public discourse. Understanding how historical trauma shapes contemporary threat perception helps contextualize Israeli decision-making and international responses, supporting more informed democratic discussion within Canada.
Related Topics
On Holocaust Remembrance Day in Israel there are doubts about ‘never again’.
Bryan Passifiume
May 6, 2024
National Post
Middle East Context
Western Values & Democratic Norms
In this field report, Bryan Passifiume covers Israel’s Yom HaShoah commemorations in the shadow of the October 7 attacks. As sirens sounded nationwide, interviews with residents highlighted vulnerability, remembrance, and renewed debate over the meaning of “Never Again.”
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