Two commemorations of Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel reveal deep divisions within the country about the government’s response.

One, which was held in public and organized by bereaved families, addressed Israel’s security failures, as well as the heroism on display that day.

The memorial in Tel Aviv was meant to have tens of thousands in attendance, although it was held in front of a much smaller crowd as gatherings are now limited in size for security reasons.

One of the final speakers was Yonathan Shamriz from kibbutz Kfar Aza, which was among the hardest-hit communities during Hamas’ attacks. His brother was taken hostage into Gaza and later killed by Israeli fire as he tried to escape.

“It was a day without an army, without a state — a day where all we had was ourselves, the citizens. This is what abandonment looks like,” the Times of Israel newspaper reported Shamriz as saying.

The other event, a recorded ceremony set up by the government, touched more on remembrance, bravery and hope.

The distinction underlines a fissure in public discourse over the darkest day in the country’s 76-year history and how it should be remembered.

“You can say it’s a war on the narrative,” Shamriz, also an organizer of the public ceremony, told the Reuters news agency.