Israeli Embassy in Cyprus marks anniversary of October 7 with Meirav Leshem Gonen

The Embassy of Israel in Cyprus recently hosted a commemorative event marking the anniversary of the October 7 attacks. The keynote speaker was Meirav Leshem Gonen, the mother of Romi Gonen, who was injured and abducted by Hamas from the Nova music festival. Romi Gonen was held captive in Gaza for a total of 471 days before her eventual release.

During the event, Meirav Leshem Gonen shared her personal experience, reflecting on her return to Cyprus, a place she first visited in October 2023, just 10 days after her daughter’s abduction, to advocate for the return of the hostages. She spoke about how the traumatic 471-day struggle forced her to abandon her former life and comfort zone to take an active role in advocating for social change and the future of others affected by the ongoing crisis.

The event highlighted the complex reality faced by the hostages and their families. While the gathering served to honor the memory of the events and the ordeal of the victims, it also underscored the lasting impact of the conflict on the survivors and their relatives, as they continue to navigate the aftermath of the Hamas attack.