Commemorating the October 7 Terror Attack and Opening of Ziv Koren Photo Exhibition

Press release, 7 October 2024

 Exactly one year ago today, on the morning of October 7, 2023, a relentless wave of terror shattered the lives of countless Israelis. Homes once filled with laughter became battlefields, and streets that bustled with life were turned into scenes of horror. In just a few hours, approximately 1,200 innocent lives were stolen. Babies, children, families, and Holocaust survivors were brutally murdered — shot, raped, beheaded, and burned, their bodies mutilated.

As the dust settled, a deeper horror emerged: 251 civilians were kidnapped and dragged into Gaza, including individuals from dozens of nationalities. Today, 101 of them are still held captive, enduring unimaginable fear, pain, and suffering.

In commemoration of the victims and heroes of October 7, the Embassy of Israel, together with the Speaker of the Seimas, is proud to open a special exhibition by renowned photojournalist Ziv Koren at the Lithuanian Parliament. Mr. Koren, who has documented global conflicts and crises, said, “Nothing could have prepared me for the horror and cruelty of October 7, 2023.” The exhibition will be open to the public in the Seimas Visitors Center.

At the opening of the exhibition, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas, remarked, ‘Sadly, in today's world, we are confronted with increasing violence and aggression. Yet, it is crucial to remember and cultivate what defines us as human beings—the qualities that inspire us to be better, more compassionate, and forgiving. Violence and aggression stand in direct opposition to these values, destroying everything in their path.

We must stand united against these evils, promoting peace and understanding at every turn. Our hearts go out to those currently held hostage and to their families, who are enduring unimaginable pain and anxiety. Each day, we must work towards creating a world where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected. This is not an easy task, but together, we can achieve remarkable change.’

Speaking at the event, Ambassador of Israel Hadas Wittenberg Silverstein emphasized:

“This is not a clash of civilizations. It is a clash between barbarism and civilization, between those who glorify death and those who sanctify life. For Israel, every civilian death is a tragedy. For Hamas, and Iran, it is a strategy, designed to smear Israel on the global stage and manipulate public opinion. But we will not be deterred.”

Through this exhibition, we remember the victims, honor the survivors, and reaffirm our commitment to fighting terror in all its forms. Terror will never prevail.

Photo by Olga Posaškova, Office of the Seimas