Many Israelis are choosing to commemorate the tragic events of October 7, a date marking a devastating attack by Hamas gunmen that resulted in the deaths of 1,400 people.
Israelis are now getting tattoos featuring the date on their bodies to pay tribute to the victims and collectively remember the tragedy.
Tattoo artist Roey Benezri-Levy, based in Eilat, far from the affected areas, has been witnessing this trend. He noted that people often choose to ink images representing their homes, families, or kidnapped individuals, with many opting to tattoo the date, October 7, as a powerful symbol of remembrance.
For university student Gal Nishman, his tattoo is a blend of a Star of David and the numerals 7/10, using black and blue ink. Although he didn’t personally know any of the victims, he sees his tattoo as a symbol representing those captured and the resilience of Israel.
Tattoo artists like Roey Benezri-Levy and Sheli Eliel have been providing a therapeutic outlet for clients who are seeking a way to cope with their grief and express their emotions. The tattooing process often leads to people sharing their stories and finding solace in the collective act of remembrance.
