(KRON) — October 7 marked one year since the videos of concertgoers in Israel being kidnapped flooded social media feeds. Two hundred fifty-one hostages were taken by Hamas, and more than 1,200 lives were lost.
The war in Gaza is a contentious issue. Jewish people gathering in synagogues are remembering the lives lost on October 7. Pro-Palestine protestors said they are mourning the loss of more than 40,000 civilians in Gaza.
State Senator Scott Wiener, who represents District 11 in the California State Senate, said the attack is a reminder of the history of Jews being the targets of violence. “What happened on October 7 was absolutely devastating to Jews around the world. The largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust,” he said.
Senator Wiener believes antisemitism has only worsened since October 7, including the vandalism of Manny’s in San Francisco’s Mission District. The restaurant’s owner called the attack on the eve of October 7 “disgusting.”
“The fact that you have people who are literally targeting a Jewish owned business over and over again with vandalism,” said Sen. Wiener.
Following the October 7 attack, Israel quickly declared war against Hamas. More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Samer Araabi, of the Arab Resource of Organizing Center, was in the crowd of protestors in San Francisco on Sunday, calling for an end to the war. “The political class of this country just won’t listen to the overwhelming majority of people calling for an end to this war, and end to this violence,” said Araabi.
Sen. Wiener has also called for an end to the War in Gaza and a peaceful two-state solution. He hopes that will also bring a sense of peace here at home. “You go to far too many synagogues, places of worship have metal detectors. That was true before October 7 and it’s even more extreme now.”
