Residential buildings damaged by Iranian ballistic missiles during Operation Rising Lion will be demolished during a ceremony in Holon on Monday.
Rather than holding a somber memorial, the Holon Municipality has chosen to cast the event as a celebration of recovery—complete with media coverage, prominent guests, and presenters.
Channel 14 host Maggie Tabibi and veteran journalist Ofer Petersburg are set to emcee the ceremony. Among those scheduled to attend are Defense Minister Israel Katz, Holon Mayor Shay Kenan, and Gal Kastel, CEO of Oron Real Estate—the company overseeing the demolition.
But beneath the polished production lies a painful story. Thirty-eight people were wounded in the missile strike that hit the area—four seriously, three moderately, and 31 lightly. The municipality evacuated 746 residents to hotels after authorities declared their homes unsafe.
For many of those affected, the decision to mark the destruction with a media-heavy event featuring dignitaries and presenters is difficult to accept.
“It feels like a PR show, not something meant to commemorate what we went through,” said Dafna, a mother of two who was among those evacuated. “People here lost everything, and we still haven’t returned to normal. We expected an event with more respect and fewer cameras.”
Residents question priorities as Holon demolition event draws scrutiny
Uri, another resident, voiced a similar sentiment. “Instead of spending time and energy on ceremonies with media and presenters, I’d like to see real action—swift recovery aid and help for families left homeless. That’s what really matters,” he said.
Municipal officials have framed the ceremony as a sign of resilience and a fresh start for the city. But the decision has sparked a debate over timing and tone. With the trauma of the missile strike still fresh, some residents feel the event risks turning their hardship into a public display rather than a respectful remembrance.
The controversy has also drawn attention from the media. On her 103FM program, Walla economic commentator Liat Ron opened with a pointed message.
“Where will you be tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.?” she asked listeners. “If you’re free, you’re invited to the corner of Bialik and Lavon streets in Holon. You don’t want to miss this—the demolition ceremony for the buildings damaged in Operation Rising Lion.”
Ron questioned the necessity of the defense minister’s presence: “What is the defense minister doing at this event? What’s so urgent in the very busy schedule of a defense minister that he needs to attend a building demolition?”