Hove: People gather to mark the one-year anniversary of October 7

Today the Jewish community gathered in Palmeira Square, Hove, to read the names of the victims of the October 7 attack and hold a special service.

The assault left more than 1,200 people dead and over 200 taken hostage.

The event was organised by the Palmeira Memorial Group, Sussex Jewish Representative Council and the BNJC (Jewish community centre).

One man even wore the Israeli flag as a cape (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

People gathered under a tent set up to shield them from the rain and chairs were provided for the service which lasted several hours.

Family and friends of hostages taken during the assault came up to the microphone, reading a commemoration of each of those who were killed.

Family and friends commemorated those who were killed in the October 7 attack (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

Brighton resident and organiser from the Palmeira Memorial Group Adam Ma’anit, 50, who has a cousin held hostage in Gaza, said: “Every day is October 7 for us and Tsachi’s family.

“We need the world to demand their release unconditionally. This is a humanitarian issue not a political one.”

With the recent attack on a memorial dedicated to victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks, there was a heavy police presence throughout the event to maintain the peace.

Police were at the event to maintain the peace (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

Ma’anit added: “We will not be cowed and will not be driven from the public square.”

The event was peaceful for the most part, thought there was some heckling and insults hurled from youths on buses passing by the area.

A poster was displayed with all the names of those killed in the October 7 attack (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

Hostage family members from the local area also spoke about the pain of a year without their loved ones.

A giant poster of all the names was displayed, and there were songs and prayers..