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Last week marked one year of war in Israel and Gaza.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas militants from Gaza led an assault on Southern Israel killing over 1,200 and taking 251 hostages, of which 97 are still believed to be in Gaza. The incident sparked a war with Israel that’s killed over 40,000 Palestinians in Gaza and has led to further conflicts — from Lebanon to Iran.
Jackson Hole for Free Palestine hosted a gathering on the town square Saturday, October 5 with the goal of commemorating lives lost and creating space to learn about the ongoing war.
“We want to honor that lives were taken,” Joni Gore, a founder of the group, said, “that Israeli lives were taken on October 7th while also recognizing the extreme catastrophe that Palestinians are experiencing. We can hold space for losses on both sides.”
She said some drove by honking and yelling — showing support for the group’s demonstration while others stopped to talk and learn.
“Saturday’s event was probably the most uplifting event that we’ve had in the past year,” she said.
Gore and her group have been protesting the Israeli military’s invasion of the Gaza strip monthly in the town square for nearly a year with the aim of educating Jacksonites on the conflict while calling for a ceasefire and humanitarian aid for those in Gaza.
“I had said in November, we’re going to continue these protests until there’s a permanent ceasefire,” she said, “And I did not expect that we would be protesting a year later.”
A Jackson vigil for Israel in October 2023. (Emily Cohen/KHOL)
The Jackson Hole Jewish Community held a memorial on Town Square on Oct. 7, 2024, to mourn the lives lost and show support for the state of Israel. Ben Goldberg, a co-president of the Jackson Hole Jewish Community, attended the event he said was somber but well-attended by local religious groups and community members.
“We stand with the state of Israel against the threats they’re facing, which the Israelis see as existential threats,” Goldberg said.
Goldberg added it’s been a tough year for Jewry throughout the world with some scared to voice their opinions. But here in Jackson, he hasn’t felt that.
“All in all, I feel like the people I discuss it with are able to have those nuanced discussions,” he said.
Both groups hope to continue bringing similar events to Jacksonites as the war continues.
