March of the Nations 2025 – a sign of hope in the midst of challenges

Around 300 people from 14 nations came to Israel from May 11 to 14, despite many flight cancellations, to show their friendship and support for the people of Israel.   

For many international participants, the March of the Nations 2025 began as a real challenge: just a few days before the start of the conference, a rocket fired by the Yemeni Houthi rebels hit the ground right next to Ben Gurion Airport, causing numerous flights to be canceled. However, multiple rebookings, complicated open-jaw flights and the determination of the participants meant that over 90% of them were still able to travel to Israel. Their determination to travel to Israel by any means became a powerful sign of friendship and love for the Israelis!  

 Opening gala at the Beit HaAm  

The conference kicked off with a gala event at Beit HaAm in Jerusalem – a first emotional highlight. The guests of honor included Irene Shashar, Rachel Fletcher, Shlomo Hameiri and Arye Itamar – all survivors of the Shoah – as well as Ilan Dalal and his family, who have been waiting for more than 600 days for the release of his son Guy Gilboa-Dalal from Hamas captivity. 

The IDF band Hamaniot enriched the evening not only musically. Two of the singers told how their families survived the Holocaust and then sang together with descendants of Nazi perpetrators. Irene Shashar, who survived the Warsaw Ghetto as a hidden child, danced on stage with the IDF band and the singers of the March of Life.  

The exhibition From Foes to Friends was also opened that evening. It sheds light on the deep roots of antisemitism, which lie in the church, among other things, and tells the message of the worldwide March of Life movement.  

Biblical impulses and prayer in the Cave of Zedekiah  

On Monday, the participants attended various biblical inputs on hope for Israel and how each individual can become a carrier of hope. The afternoon event was another highlight: in the middle of the Cave of Zedekiah under the Old City, from which stones had been quarried for the construction of the temple and which had been closed for a long time, the participants prayed together for the peace of Jerusalem. 

Report from October 7 and perspectives from Israel  

On Tuesday morning, the participants heard the harrowing eyewitness report from Eran Massas – one of the heroes of October 7, who was on site as a first responder immediately after the massacre at the Nova Festival. He organized the evacuation of the young people who had fled to the nearest kibbutz. His honest and detailed report raised awareness of the national and personal trauma that Israel has to deal with after October 7. His concluding statement was all the more powerful: “I choose life – despite everything!”  

Aviel Schneider, editor-in-chief of Israel Today, provided insights into Israeli society and the media’s perspectives in a time of war and increasing antisemitism. The participants from 14 countries experienced for themselves the everyday life of Israelis, which is repeatedly interrupted by rocket alarms – and at the same time the calm and security with which the country meets these challenges.  

Antisemitism symposium in the Knesset  

In the afternoon, the March of the Nations, in cooperation with the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus (KCAC), organized a symposium against antisemitism at the Knesset, chaired by Knesset Member Moshe Tur-Paz. Speakers included the Minister for Diaspora, Amishai Chikli, the Director of the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus, Josh Reinstein, and Rabbi Abraham Cooper from the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Afterwards, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana publicly honored the March of Life in the plenary hall for its long-standing efforts in the fight against antisemitism. 

Five cities, one message  

On May 14, the message turned from words to action: Over 250 international participants marched together with hundreds of Israelis in five cities – Be’er Sheva, Netanya, Zikhron Yaakov, Metulla and Tiberias – with a clear message:  

“Israel, we are allied with you. You are not alone!”  

 The atmosphere was characterized by deep gratitude. “Thank you, thank you, thank you for visiting us,” said an elderly resident of Kibbutz Gonen near Metulla in the far north of Israel. In Be’er Sheva, Mayor Ruvik Danilovich expressed his appreciation with these words: “The fact that you are here is the strongest sign of restoration, it gives us hope!”  

 This hope became a powerful sign of friendship and solidarity – for many hundreds in the cities who were present and for thousands in Israel who heard this message through the media and news.  

 Selected impressions and a highlight video of this unforgettable week of remembrance and reconciliation will be made available soon:  

Save the date: The next March of the Nations will take place from May 31 to June 2, 2026.  

Impressions