The Police Command Post

The Police Command Post display stands at the same location where the Police Command Post that secured the Nova Festival originally operated on October 7, 2023. It was planned and established by the artist Amir Chodorov – the initiator and director of the memorial site, together with Jojo Rabia and Yohai Rivlin, and in collaboration with Lt. Col. Nivi Ohana – Commander of the Ofakim Station and Sector Commander at the event, and Staff Sgt. Liat Zvieli, who served as part of the police security system at the site.

The story of the display is described below from Amir’s point of view.

The Police Command Post display consists of two intertwined parts; it is presented in that way in order to reflect both the courage of the policemen and policewomen who fought in the field, as well as the resourcefulness and courage of the citizens who were present alongside them in the Command Post.

When I learned the story of the Police Command Post on the morning of October 7, 2023, I immediately understood that the story embodies the values we grew up with: friendship, sacrifice, courage and the choice to stand by other people even at the cost of one’s own life.

The policemen and policewomen who were at the scene found themselves facing well-armed terrorists; they were fully aware of the power disparities between them and these terrorists and of the enormous danger that they and the festival participants were facing. Despite this, they did not abandon their positions and continued to carry out their duties. They fought bravely and defended the festival attendees with their bodies.

The following fallen policemen and policewomen are commemorated and memorialized on the Wall of Glory and Heroism:

Master Sgt. Aaron Arthur Markovici
Master Sgt. Uriel Avraham
Commander Itzik Buzukashvili
Sgt. Major Alon Bard
SFC Alona (Abigail) Estpenko
Master Sgt. Elior Yifrach
Sgt. Major Alik Pozdniakov
Sgt. Major Alexey Bodovsky
Supt. Emin Akhundov
Inspector Andrey Pushibai
Commander Jiar Davidov
Sgt. Major Debbie (Dvora) Avraham
Sgt. Major Vitaly Karasik
Sgt. Major Yulia Waxer Daunov
Sgt. Major Yakir Blochman
Sgt. Major Malik Karim
Command Sgt. Maj. Sivan Yenin
Sgt. Shai El Knafo
Master Sgt. Sharon Leibowitz
Master Sgt. Adv. Sharon Rachmani

The heroic story of the late Bar Zohar and the late Liron Barda

Alongside the stories of the heroism of the police, I learned of the stories of Bar Zohar and Liron Barda, both of blessed memory – two young women who demonstrated extraordinary mental strength in those moments of terror and fear.

Bar Zohar’s attempt to escape, together with the late Matan Zanetti and three others, was in the direction of Kibbutz Be’eri. When they reached a police checkpoint, officers instructed them to turn back because terrorists were on the road. Within seconds, they were caught in an ambush and came under fire. Bar was shot, and Matan was critically wounded and later died of his wounds.

Despite her injury, Bar moved to another car and made a decision that changed the fate of many. Instead of saving herself, she returned to the party area to warn everyone who remained in the compound. At 7:25 am., she arrived at the police command post and with the last of her strength told them: “There are many terrorists north of here”.

Bar’s warning made it clear to the police that the escape routes were blocked. In an immediate response to her warning and her resourcefulness, the police began to direct the thousands of people present in the compound to flee eastward, in the direction of the sun, towards Moshav Patish. Bar’s decision to warn against the terrorists saved the lives of hundreds of festival attendees.

At the Police Command Post, the injured Liron Barda, who was the manager of the bars at the party, treated Bar. In footage filmed during those moments, Liron is seen holding Bar’s infusion bag, as Bar asks her not to leave. Liron promised Bar that she would stay by her side.

At 9:06 am., when the terrorists entered the compound, Liron kept her promise and did not abandon Bar. She remained by her side until the last minute. Liron’s body was later found under the stretcher on which Bar was lying. The two were murdered together, in a moment that became a symbol of humanity, devotion and friendship.

Memory as a Moral Compass

Since the establishment of the State, Israeli memory has been filled with tales of heroic deeds of those who fought and defended others, and these have been woven into songs such as “Friendship”, “How Can I Bless”, “Ammunition Hill” and “Ballad for the Medic”, which speak of brotherhood, mutual responsibility and courage.

Since I decided to establish the memorial site, on December 31, 2023, I have been privileged to get to know the personal world of the murdered men and women, the stories of the fallen. Through their stories, I learned of their high moral standards and of the light they left behind, and I vowed to continue telling their stories, and about their character – so that their values can serve as a moral compass for the future.

Friendship, like all your youth

We will smile and go forward again in your name

For the wicked have fallen on their sword.

And have left us your life to remember.

(From “The Friendship”, by Haim Gouri)