Supporters of Israel gathered in front of Beverly Hills City Hall on Sept. 5 to call for the release of the hostages still held by Hamas. The rally took place days after six hostages were killed by the terrorist group, and almost one year since the brutal attack on Oct. 7, 2023.
The rally featured forceful speeches from leaders including Beverly Hills Mayor Lester Friedman and Vice Mayor Sharona Nazarian, Jewish Federation Los Angeles President and CEO Rabbi Noah Farkas and Natalie Sanandaji, a survivor of the NOVA Music Festival massacre and a member of the Combat Antisemitism Movement.
“Destroying Hamas is essential, but equally essential is the release of those innocent hostages taken over 11 months ago,” Friedman said. “The time is now to reach an agreement to release the hostages without jeopardizing the security of Israel.”
On Sept. 8, the city hosted a one-day pop-up at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts commemorating the NOVA attack. The powerful display from the NOVA Music Festival Exhibition featured scorched cars, structures damaged by bullets as well and personal belongings left behind by the victims. The exhibition, which opened in Culver City on Aug. 17 following a two-month run in New York City, helps bear witness to the atrocities of Oct. 7. It is open until Oct. 8 at 8631 Hayden Place, Culver City.
The exhibit at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts featured scorched cars and the victims’ belongings. Photo courtesy city of Beverly Hills
