Forty-two survivors of the 7 October massacre at Israel’s Supernova Sukkot festival are suing the government’s security forces for NIS 200 million ($56 million) in damages.

The plaintiffs filed the claim at the Tel Aviv District Court on Monday (1 January) against the Shin Bet security service, the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Police, and the Defense Ministry, alleging multiple instances in which they failed in their duties.

“One phone call separated the plaintiffs’ lives and the integrity of their bodies and souls from the destruction of their lives,” reads the lawsuit, which is the largest tort claim ever filed in Israel against the state.

“A single phone call by IDF officials to the commander responsible for the party to disperse it immediately in view of the expected danger would have saved lives and prevented the physical and mental injuries of hundreds of partygoers, including the plaintiffs,” it continues. “The negligence and the gross oversight is beyond belief.”

According to the lawsuit, 364 attendees were killed and 40 kidnapped after Hamas stormed the second day of the trance music gathering, held near the Gaza-Israel border, as part of a wider coordinated attack on Israel. The festival, near Kibbutz Re’im, was attended by 3,500.

The claim cited reports following the massacre, which claimed senior officers in the Gaza Division expressed concerns over the party, and that the operations commander opposed it being held. It also noted that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar held consultations the night before, and even sent a special operations team to the border the night before the onslaught.

“On the night between October 6 and October 7, at least two IDF assessments were held due to unusual incidents on the Gaza Strip border, one near midnight and another assessment close to 3 am, several hours before the Hamas attack,” the lawsuit reads.

“The negligence and the gross oversight is beyond belief”

The plaintiffs said that the IDF was unable to provide adequate security for the event since many soldiers were at home over the Simchat Torah holiday. Only 27 police officers were stationed at the festival, most of them not in possession of long arms, as required when based near the border.

Attorney Shimon Buchbut, a retired Air Force commander cited as an expert in the lawsuit, said that the IDF was negligent in giving approval for the party and that any reasonable official would not have allowed it to go ahead.

Among the damages listed in the lawsuit are loss of earnings, pain and suffering, loss of life’s pleasures, loss of future earnings, and medical expenses.

Executives from Israel’s live music industry have called the Hamas attack the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival”, adding that business will be paused for the foreseeable future.

Festival organiser Tribe of Nova said it was “shocked and pained” in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

“This is the epitome of pure and unbridled evil, the horrifying and senseless murder of countless innocent angels, whose only ‘crime’ was being Jewish and living in Israel,” it added.

Nearly three months into the war, the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza surpassed 22,000 yesterday (3 January), according to reports from The Guardian.

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Organisers of Israel’s Supernova Sukkot festival have paid tribute to the victims of the massacre at an official memorial ceremony.

At least 260 people were killed and others taken hostage in the deadliest-ever attack on a music event after Hamas stormed the second day of the trance music gathering, held near the Gaza-Israel border on 7 October, as part of a wider coordinated attack on Israel.

“We went through something that we had no control over, we will take care of everyone and help everyone,” said Omri Sassi and Nimrod Arnin of promoter Tribe of Nova during this week’s memorial, held at Kibbutz Sdot Yam. “We love the country. We will dance again and that will be our victory.”

Staged under the Universo Paralello brand, the festival had attracted around 3,000 people to the desert near Kibbutz Re’im, not far from the Gaza Strip. Acts included Artifex, Aladin, Astral Projection, Flare, Jackalon, Jumpstreet, Kido, Libra, Man With no Name, Noface, Protonica, Rocky Tilbor, Shove, Spectra Sonics, Swarup and Wegha.

Sassi lost four relatives in the attack, while Arnin lost his sister.

“At the happiest and most intense moment of the day, terrorists came bursting in, launched a missile attack and started murdering people”

Speaking to Walla News, via National Post, the pair added: “The Nova community suffered the largest number of murders. This was the largest event we have done to date, a lot of people came from abroad to spend time at the event.

“At some point, at the height of the event, at sunrise, at the happiest and most intense moment of the day, terrorists came bursting in, launched a missile attack and started murdering people.”

Tribe of Nova has launched a fundraiser to support victims.

“We send endless love and a big big hug to all the members of the tribe, while wishing a speedy and complete recovery to all the wounded and injured and praying for the strengthening of their families and the spouses of the murdered,” says the organisation. “We will not leave anyone behind, we will spread this one and only truth to the rest of the world and bring out a bright and strong light that will accompany us in all our actions, until good prevails over evil.”

Executives from Israel’s live music industry called the Hamas attack the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival”, adding that business will be paused for the foreseeable future.

The BBC reports that 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage in Hamas’ 7 October attacks, while the Hamas-run health ministry says more than 11,000 people have been killed in retaliatory strikes by Israel, including 4,500 children.

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The company behind Israel’s Supernova Sukkot festival has issued a fresh statement in response to the 7 October massacre.

At least 260 people were killed after Hamas stormed the second day of the trance music gathering, held near the Gaza-Israel border, as part of a wider coordinated attack on Israel.

Festival organiser Tribe of Nova said it was “shocked and pained” in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, and have now posted a lengthy update on its Facebook page.

Expressing its “sincere and heartfelt condolences to all the families, friends, partners and couples who have lost their loved ones or have been affected by the tragic events”, the promoter adds: “What was planned to be the happiest and largest electronic music festival of the Nova Tribe has turned into a scene of unspeakable tragedy, an inhumane war crime, an unprecedented violation of the most basic human values.

“This is the epitome of pure and unbridled evil, the horrifying and senseless murder of countless innocent angels, whose only ‘crime’ was being Jewish and living in Israel.

“It’s no wonder that these agents of darkness targets this joyous gathering of children of light, for their sole and singular purpose is to bring darkness upon the world. But we won’t let them do that! We will keep fighting until we reach our objective adorned on our tribe’s flag: to spread light throughout the world, with the help of the holy people of Israel and the Nova Tribe.”

“This was the largest terrorist attack in Israeli history”

According to the BBC, Israel says that 199 people are being held hostage in Gaza after Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israel just over a week ago, killing more than 1,400 people. More than 2,700 people in Gaza have reportedly been killed in retaliatory strikes by Israel.

Held as part of Brazilian festival franchise Universo Paralello, Supernova featured artists such as Aladin, Artifex, Astral Projection, Flare, Jackalon, Jumpstreet, Kido, Libra, Man With no Name, Noface, Protonica, Rocky Tilbor, Shove, Spectra Sonics, Swarup and Wegha.

“We were brutally attacked by hundreds of terrorists, heartless, ruthless and lacking any mercy,” continues Tribe of Nova. “They murdered in cold blood hundreds of women and men, our beloved Tribe of Nova members, as well as numerous innocent Israeli civilians.

“It was a heinous, terrifying, brutal massacre of innocent civilians from all over the country and the world, the best and most among us. This was the largest terrorist attack in Israeli history. Taking the lives of 1,400 pure and innocent souls with over 150 remain[ing] missing, thousands left physically injured to varying degrees, and tens of thousands psychologically, emotionally and mentally broken.”

Executives from Israel’s live music industry have called the Hamas attack the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival”, adding that business will be paused for the foreseeable future.

“Our production team is focused on providing the right and extensive emotional and mental support to everyone involved”

The Kibbutz Re’im festival site is still not entirely secure even after days of fighting, with Tribe of Nova working “day and night” to assist with search and rescue operations.

“At this moment, our production team is focused on providing the right and extensive emotional and mental support to everyone involved. This is the most important thing in this moment,” adds the promoter.

“We are working tirelessly, day and night, conducting search and rescue operations, helping identify the victims and updating their families. Searching for those located in the disaster area, or other locations, recovering equipment from the site and its surroundings and, above all, ensuring the security of Israel. This is our sole goal, and we will stand behind it and fulfil it to the best of our abilities. We will not stop.

“We are present at the disaster site and its vicinity day in and day out, working hand in hand with security forces and authorities to help find answers and bring back all that those who can return to their families and friends. At the moment, this is our top priority. In the meantime, it’s essential for us to convey the following message: Our strength lies in our unity! We are in a war for our home, and it’s essential that we all come together, strengthen each other, and unite under one great, shining light to overcome this dark period as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, the German Music Council, the Music Industry Forum, GEMA and GVL have declared their solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of the attack.

“The German Music Council and the Music Industry Forum join the German Cultural Council’s call for solidarity with the people of Israel and are horrified by the attacks on civilians,” says a joint statement. “Hamas’ terrorist attack and the suffering it has brought to people are beyond words and a new, terrible wake-up call that anti-Semitism must have no place in our society.

“We stand against anti-Semitic hatred and our condolences go out to the victims and their families who were deliberately chosen as targets of terror and torn from their lives. The German music industry stands with Jews against any form of anti-Semitism.”

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U2 frontman Bono has paid tribute to the victims of the Supernova festival massacre in Israel while on stage in Las Vegas.

At least 260 people were killed in Saturday’s attack by Hamas militants at the festival, held in the desert near Kibbutz Re’im, in what is believed to be the deadliest-ever assault on a music event.

Before performing the band’s 1984 single Pride (In the Name of Love) on Sunday (8 October) in the latest show of their 25-date residency at MSG’s Sphere at The Venetian, Bono told the audience: “In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about non-violence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable, but our prayers have always been for peace and for non-violence.

“But our hearts and our anger, you know where that’s pointed. So sing with us… and those beautiful kids at that music festival.”

He continued: “Sing for our brothers and sisters – who they themselves were singing at the Supernova Sukkot festival in Israel. We sing for those. Our people, our kind of people, music people. Playful, experimental people. Our kind of people. We sing for them.”

U2 last played in Israel in 1997, when they performed at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park

The Guardian reports the singer then altered the song’s opening lyrics, singing: “Early morning, October 7, the sun is rising in the desert sky. Stars of David, they took your life but they could not take your pride.”

U2 last played in Israel in 1997, when they performed at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park.

Held under the Universo Paralello brand launched in Brazil 23 years ago, The Tribe of Nova presents Supernova made its debut in Israel from 6-7 October – coinciding with the Jewish festival of Sukkot.  The psy-trance music festival, which was attended by around 3,000 people, was stormed by Palestinian militants on Saturday morning and opened fire as part of a wider coordinated attack on Israel.

Festival organiser Tribe of Nova said it was “stunned” by the attack, adding: “We strengthen and share the grief of the missing and murdered families. We are doing everything we can to assist the security forces, stand with them in constant contact and are located in the area in scans and searches in order to locate the missing.”

Jonathan Lipitz, founder of local promoter Yellow Brick and owner of Tel Aviv-based club Kuli Alma, told IQ: “This is the biggest tragedy my country has ever faced. I’m more shocked than scared and I’m more enraged than sad. I’m not really digesting what my eyes and brain are seeing. This will take a lot of time.”

“Entertainment can wait,” he added. “First, we need to be focused on people’s lives”

Lipitz said Kuli Alma has closed indefinitely, while Yellow Brick’s scheduled shows at the Barby Club before the end of the year are likely to be postponed.

“Entertainment can wait,” he added. “First, we need to be focused on people’s lives.”

A 60,000-cap Bruno Mars concert scheduled for Saturday (7 October) at Hayarkon Park was cancelled amid the escalation of the conflict. The US star had played his first ever show in Israel just three days earlier.

Sources told Billboard that the decision to cancel was made a few hours after the attacks began, as securing the venue would present unnecessary risks to attendees. Mars’ scheduled performance at the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix in Doha on Sunday was also pulled “due to circumstances out of [organisers’] control”.

The singer was reportedly unable to pack up and transport his production gear out of Israel in time for the show, with French artist DJ Snake stepping in to take his place.

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The attack by Hamas militants on Israel’s Supernova festival that saw at least 260 people killed and countless others abducted has been called the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival”.

Jonathan Lipitz, founder of local promoter Yellow Brick and owner of Tel Aviv-based club Kuli Alma, today spoke to IQ about “the nightmare” unfolding across the country since the coordinated surprise attack by Hamas this weekend, including at the Supernova festival on Saturday (7 October) morning.

Lipitz, who lives a 120-minute drive from where the Supernova festival took place, says he heard the siren that went off around dawn, warning of rockets.

“The early morning of Saturday, I was at my mother’s house in Rishon Le Zion and I stood outside watching [the conflict] because I had this idea that the [Hamas] will not be satisfied with only taking part the south part of Israel… we haven’t slept since then.”

More than two days since the unprecedented attack, Lipitz says he personally knows eight to 10 people who are “dead, wounded or missing”.

“We are experiencing our 9/11. This is the biggest tragedy my country has ever faced”

“We are experiencing our 9/11,” he says. “This is the biggest tragedy my country has ever faced. I’m more shocked than scared and I’m more enraged than sad. I’m not really digesting what my eyes and brain are seeing. This will take a lot of time.”

Leeorna Solomons, from Tel Aviv-based boutique production company Lidor Productions, tells IQ: “Israel is under a terrorist attack… [it’s a] massacre of innocent civilians in their homes. No other words can describe it.  Women, children, babies, and elderly people have been kidnapped into Gaza. We are now counting over 1,000 civilians dead, and more than 2,500 severely wounded. If we can compare this to 11 September in the same proportion of the population, it is as if 23,000 people died in less than 24 hours.”

Lipitz, who employs around 60 people across his club and promotions company, says many of his colleagues have been drafted into the army.

“We’re in touch with all our workers, from security to cleaning to waitresses to bar bartenders,” he says. “We’re used to keeping in touch and showing solidarity [during difficult times] because of coronavirus time and the reality in Israel.” In the meantime, Kuli Alma has closed indefinitely and Yellow Brick’s scheduled shows at the Barby Club before the end of the year will probably be postponed.

“Entertainment can wait,” Lipitz says. “First, we need to be focused on people’s lives and how my country should be run in a modern and democratic world as we imagined it to be like. We are really standing on our feet as civilians but unfortunately, my government is a big joke.”

“We dreamt of something and woke up to a nightmare”

“Are we able to proceed with business, shows and concerts? Hell no! We can hardly breathe,” adds Solomons.

Unsurprisingly, upcoming concerts and festivals in the country have been cancelled. One of the first was Bruno Mars’s 60,000-capacity concert on Saturday 7 October in Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park.

In a statement regarding the cancellation, Live Nation Israel said: “We stand with the residents of Israel, IDF fighters and the security forces in these difficult moments.”

Lipitz, who attended Mars’s concert in Tel Aviv last Wednesday, said Israel felt like “a normal country” that was worthy of “one of the biggest stars in the world”.

“I said to my friend ‘Man, we live in a normal country. How nice it is to have that?’ I didn’t know that 72 hours after, on the day of the second show that was planned, it would all be forgotten like a fantasy. We dreamt of something and woke up to a nightmare.”

Lipitz believes it will be four to eight weeks until the conflict ends, though the impact on Israel’s live music scene is likely to last a lot longer.

While the number of deaths at Supernova festival is higher than all previous terrorist attacks at live events, the onslaught is reminiscent of tragedies such as the mass shooting at Route 91 Harvest in Las Vegas in 2017 and the co-ordinated attacks at France’s Bataclan concert hall, Stade de France and Paris cafes in 2015.

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Organisers of Israel’s Supernova festival say they are “shocked and pained” by the Hamas attack that killed at least 260 people.

The psy-trance event debuted in the country from 6-7 October, but was stormed by Palestinian militants on Saturday morning as part of a wider coordinated offensive on Israel.

Tribe of Nova, the company behind the festival, which was held near the Gaza-Israel border, says it has been left “stunned” by the massacre, with hundreds of people still unaccounted for.

“We strengthen and share the grief of the missing and murdered families,” it says in a Facebook post. “We are doing everything we can to assist the security forces, stand with them in constant contact and are located in the area in scans and searches in order to locate the missing.”

“In moments like these, it is important that we are strong and united, full of faith, support each other and be there for anyone who needs it”

Held as part of Brazilian festival franchise Universo Paralello, the festival featured an international line-up including Aladin, Artifex, Astral Projection, Flare, Jackalon, Jumpstreet, Kido, Libra, Man With no Name, Noface, Protonica, Rocky Tilbor, Shove, Spectra Sonics, Swarup and Wegha.

Tribe of Nova has set up an online system whereby people can upload the details of missing festival-goers, which will then passed on to the relevant authorities.

“We [will] pass on to relevant parties every piece of information that comes to us about additional missing persons,” adds the post. “We invite you to bring any additional information about family members and friends who have not yet contacted. We are full of hope and pray that good news will reach us and you soon.

“In moments like these, it is important that we are strong and united, full of faith, support each other and be there for anyone who needs it.”

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