NYC Politicians Advocate for Permanent Memorial for October 7 Attack Victims

New York City politicians are advocating for a permanent memorial to honor the victims of the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas in Brooklyn. State Senator Sam Sutton (D-Brooklyn), who is leading the initiative, stated at a press conference on the third anniversary of the attack, "Those who were stolen from us will never be forgotten." The attack resulted in 1,200 victims, including individuals with connections to the tri-state area, such as Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old Long Island native and IDF tank commander who was killed. Sutton emphasized the importance of addressing antisemitism, saying, "History has taught us the devastating cost of silence when hatred goes unchecked." Several Jewish politicians, including City Comptroller Mark Levine, City Council Speaker Julie Menin, and Rep. Dan Goldman, attended the press conference, advocating for a memorial approximately 6×6 feet in size to be located at Mickey Kairey Garden in Gravesend. Organizers are currently raising private funds for the memorial's design, construction, and maintenance. However, the project requires approval from the city Parks Department, which is under Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who has been critical of Israel. Neither the Parks Department nor City Hall has commented on the matter. The garden is named after Meyer "Mickey" Kairey, a World War II combat medic and founder of the historic Magen David Synagogue in Bensonhurst. Local Democratic District Leader Joey Saban, who supports the memorial, stated, "For so many families in our community, October 7 is personal. A permanent memorial will ensure that the memory of those we lost remains alive for generations to come."