Israel observed the third anniversary of the October 7 massacre with ceremonies across the country, even as political tensions surfaced over the prime minister's absence from main events. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led investigation into last week's attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight progressed, Iran faced renewed international pressure, and a antisemitism row engulfed Britain's Green Party.

Security

Families of October 7 victims, hostages and survivors gathered at Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park for the main national ceremony marking three years since the Hamas-led massacre, following protests and ceremonies held nationwide throughout the day. President Isaac Herzog addressed the crowd, saying children who had been dancing were "taken from us with wickedness and barbarism." Hostage survivor Elkana Bohbot recited the Yizkor memorial prayer from the Nova festival site from which he was abducted, while the bereaved father of a young man murdered alongside two childhood friends said the sense of unity among Israelis "is stronger than anything that divides us." Released hostage Noa Argamani visited the graves of friends killed in the attack, including Ori Danino, saying "the pain is always here and sometimes it even intensifies." Separately, Israel's ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, gave an update on his son Neriah, who was wounded in a terror attack nearly two weeks ago during an international ceremony in Jerusalem marking October 7, saying Neriah has begun breathing independently but remains not fully conscious. In related developments, Saudi Arabia has opened a new phase of its investigation into last week's attempted hijacking of a flydubai flight bound for Israel, with the United States taking part in the probe while Israel awaits an invitation to join. It has also emerged that the Omani co-pilot accused of attempting to seize the aircraft trained as a pilot at a major British aviation academy.

Politics

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not attend official October 7 memorial ceremonies, and Likud issued a sharp attack on media coverage and senior security officials during the day of remembrance, accusing outlets of "false propaganda aimed at toppling right-wing rule." Netanyahu himself circulated the Likud statement, which also criticised the heads of Israel's security establishment, asserting that "had he been updated in real time, everything would look different." The remarks drew criticism amid a day otherwise dedicated to national mourning.

International

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani marked the October 7 anniversary by mourning those killed and abducted while also accusing Israel of genocide, apartheid and war crimes during the war in Gaza and the subsequent ceasefire, remarks that drew strong criticism. On Iran, Reuters reported that Tehran transferred $200 million to Hezbollah last month despite ongoing economic sanctions, intended to assist Shiite refugees from the recent war, with each family reportedly receiving an initial $3,000 and intermediaries charging a 20% commission due to the risks of dealing with Hezbollah. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is still awaiting mediators to convey Washington's final position on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that "only a negotiated solution can resolve the crisis" and that reopening the strait depends on US compliance with Iran's conditions. Separately, 56 countries including the United States, Britain, France, Germany, Bahrain, Morocco and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing restored UN restrictions against Iran, prompting analysis over whether international consensus is hardening against Tehran. In Britain, controversy deepened within the Green Party after historical records showed that Green Party leader Zack Polanski's claims that his family fled Nazi-occupied Poland for England were contradicted by documents showing his family had settled in Britain decades before the war, a discrepancy the party has declined to explain. The row follows a party conference motion declaring Zionism "a form of racism." Separately, the Greens reinstated a councillor, Mohammed Suleman, who had been suspended over an allegedly antisemitic video, after he said he had "had time to reflect on and learn from these actions." Commentary in Jewish media described the episode as a red line being crossed and called for a societal cordon sanitaire against such views. Elsewhere, analysis examined how the Mecca defence pact between Turkey and Saudi Arabia is moving from declaration towards implementation, exposing unresolved questions in Turkey over troop deployments, parliamentary authority and the risk of direct involvement in Yemen.

Other Developments

Former British prime minister Tony Blair has joined David Ellison's Skydance as a board adviser following the company's merger, with Israeli-American executive Ynon Kreiz also joining as a new director. In a domestic incident, a 14-year-old boy was stabbed in the leg during a school break and taken to Soroka Medical Centre in moderate condition; his family alleged a 30cm kitchen knife was found on another pupil and criticised the school's handling of the incident, claiming a security camera in the area was not working. The Education Ministry has not yet responded. In football, former Tottenham player Ramon Vega has emerged as a surprise candidate for the FIFA presidency, seeking to replace Gianni Infantino and criticising the current leadership for having "suppressed the game."

Sources: Ynet, Walla, www.israelhayom.co.il, Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel