approved in First Reading: Law to Commemorate the Events of October 7th
The Knesset plenum approved in its first reading the proposed law to commemorate the events of October 7th – Sukkot, 5786-2025. 18 Knesset members supported the proposal, with no opposing votes, and it will be transferred for discussion in the Education, Culture, and Sports Committee.
It is proposed to establish the 24th of Tishrei as the State Memorial Day for the events of October 7th – Sukkot. On this day, in accordance with the proposal in the law, state ceremonies will be held, the flag will be lowered to half-mast at state institutions, and a special discussion will be held in the Knesset.
It is further proposed to establish a Commemoration, Memory, and Heritage Authority for the events of October 7th, which will act to carry out commemoration activities and preserve national memory. Additionally, a commemoration site and museum will be established in the Western Negev region.
Finally, it is proposed that until the Authority is established, the Prime Minister’s Office will coordinate memory, documentation, and commemoration activities, and the minister responsible for implementing the law will be the Prime Minister.
The explanatory notes to the proposal state: “This law is based on the understanding that preserving memory, documentation, and developing heritage are essential for the rehabilitation and development of communities, and they carry significant weight in the rehabilitation of Israeli society. Commemoration and memory contribute to strengthening personal, community, regional, and national resilience, as well as strengthening national and international solidarity and cohesion, by creating a meaningful connection between the past and the future, connecting citizens to the shared national story, and enabling bereaved families to find a supportive community.”
Approved in First Reading: State Memorial Day to Commemorate the Events of October 7th; Additionally, a Memory and Commemoration Authority will be Established
The Knesset plenum approved in its first reading the proposed law for the commemoration of the massacre and the remembrance of heroism on the 22nd of Tishrei (Simchat Torah) – October 7th, 5785-2025, by MK Etty Attar and a group of Knesset members, to which a proposal by MK Naama Lazimi was attached. 18 Knesset members supported the proposal, with no opposing votes, and it will be returned for discussion in the Education, Culture, and Sports Committee.
It is proposed to establish a state memorial day for the massacre and heroism on the 24th of Tishrei in order to preserve the events of October 7th in the national consciousness for generations. This day will be marked, among other things, by a state memorial ceremony, a special discussion in the Knesset, and ceremonies and activities in educational institutions. According to the proposal, on this day the state flag will be lowered to half-mast and broadcast programs will reflect the special nature of the day.
Furthermore, it is proposed to establish a Memory Authority, which will be a statutory corporation, to fulfill the objectives of the proposed law. Its responsibilities will include: establishing and making accessible a central database to the public, operating a commemoration site, establishing a museum and archive, and holding cultural and memorial events.
The explanatory notes to the proposal state: “The purpose of the proposed law is to ensure for generations the memory of the events of October 7th, including the acts of massacre and terror and the abduction of civilians and security forces personnel, to honor and commemorate the memory of the fallen and the victims, to document the stories of the massacre survivors, and to commemorate the acts of heroism and the resilience shown by the people of Israel.”
Approved in First Reading: Temporary Order Stipulating that Legal Proceedings Concerning Security Prisoners Will Generally Be Conducted via Visual Conferencing
The Knesset plenum approved in its first reading the proposed law for conducting visual conferencing proceedings involving detainees, prisoners, and incarcerated individuals (Temporary Order), 5786-2025, by MK Tzvi Fogel. 11 Knesset members supported the proposal, with no opposing votes, and it will be returned for discussion in the constitution committee.
It is proposed to establish, as a temporary order for a period of four years, a regulation mandating that court proceedings concerning security prisoners be conducted via visual conferencing, based on a joint declaration by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of National Security regarding security restrictions due to the risk posed by the prisoners and their transportation. Exceptions for initial arrest hearings and the hearing of testimonies are stipulated within the framework of the regulation.
In addition, it is proposed to establish general arrangements for conducting court proceedings concerning detainees, prisoners, and incarcerated individuals via visual conferencing, in situations where the normal course of life in the country or a part thereof is disrupted due to the security situation, a genuine public health concern, or natural disasters, based on a declaration by the Minister of Justice. The extension of a declaration of security restriction or a full restriction will require the approval of the Constitution, Law, and Justice Committee.
The explanatory notes to the proposal state: “During the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic and throughout the Swords of Iron War, a system was implemented that allowed for visual conferencing proceedings for detainees and prisoners in a wide range of legal proceedings.
Due to the situation during the Swords of Iron War, emergency regulations were enacted for a short period, allowing for visual conferencing proceedings for detainees and prisoners. Subsequently, the law for conducting visual conferencing proceedings involving detainees and prisoners (Temporary Order – Swords of Iron) was enacted, until it was replaced by the law for conducting visual conferencing proceedings involving detainees, prisoners, and incarcerated individuals (Temporary Order – Swords of Iron), 5784-2023.
It is now proposed to re-enact the law, largely as it was before its expiration, for a period of four years, which can be extended by order, while disconnecting it from the state of war and the special situation that prevailed in the home front.”
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