The Jewish holiday of Passover began on Monday night. But this year, some Israelis say they are torn over how to celebrate during the ongoing war. Some say they will keep an empty chair at the table during Passover meals to represent those who were killed and those still held captive.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

Passover, the Jewish holiday celebrating liberation from biblical slavery through a week-long festival and the traditional Seder feast, is being observed with a somber tone this year due to the ongoing conflict involving Israel. Amidst the usual festivities, some Israelis are incorporating an empty chair at their Passover tables. This gesture serves to honor and remember those killed and those who remain captive, particularly in the wake of the attacks on October 7th that resulted in numerous fatalities and captives being held in Gaza.

In an expression of solidarity and remembrance, residents from Kibbutz Be'eri, a community heavily affected by the October 7th attacks by Hamas, organized a communal Seder in Tel Aviv's Hostage Square. The event aimed to maintain the visibility of the hostages’ plight and sustain hope for their return. The attendees, while striving to adhere to the holiday's traditions, emphasized the continued anguish over the loss of life and the captivation of their community members.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed the stance that only through sustained military and political efforts can the captives be freed. His message during the Passover period underscored the sorrow felt for the hostages and their families' suffering, further reinforcing the commitment to their retrieval. Meanwhile, protests demanding action from the government have escalated, including a poignant demonstration outside Netanyahu’s residence where protestors set ablaze a Seder table in protest, showcasing the growing frustration over perceived governmental inaction as the conflict extends beyond 200 days.



Passover celebrations overshadowed by war

Jewish people around the world are marking the start of Passover. The week-long festival commemorates freedom and is typically observed with a feast known as a Seder to celebrate what Jews believe was the liberation from biblical slavery. But this year, celebrations are muted, overshadowed by Israel's war and the captives still being held in Gaza. All we do is pray for them. Doing these things also helps them because we do it for the people that cannot do it right now. We do all the Shabbat, all the festivities, all that we are doing, we do it for them. We pray for them all the days. On this major Jewish holiday with a focus on freedom, many Israelis say that their traditional Seder will have an empty chair at the table, representing those who were killed on October 7th and those who are still being held captive in Gaza. Such as those from Kibbutz Be'eri, one of the towns attacked by Hamas on October 7th. These Israelis are holding a Seder for their entire town in what's become known as Hostage Square in the heart of Tel Aviv. We had a hundred people murdered. It's indescribable, unbearable, and we are holding on to the hope that our hostages will return and that it doesn't fall off the agenda and that all the Jewish Israelis, all the people around the world understand that there are people whose freedom was taken away. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is still adamant that military and political pressure are the only ways the captives will be brought back. On this Passover Seder night, our hostages in Hamas' captivity stand before us. Their suffering and the suffering of their families breaks our hearts and only strengthens our determination to return them. We don't let up even for a moment from the sacred task of bringing them home. In a protest outside Netanyahu's house, demonstrators set fire to a symbolic Seder table. It's the latest event in a series of protests calling for their loved ones' release. With nearly 200 days into the war, many Israelis say the government's promises are empty. Hamda Salhout, Al Jazeera, Tel Aviv.

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