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The following is a transcript of U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas’ speech at the Oct. 7 State House vigil in Concord. 

We are here to remember Oct. 7, the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

We all remember where we were when we heard the news, and those of us who have family and friends living in Israel immediately started reaching out, hoping that we would receive a text or a call back saying that they were safe.

Unfortunately, we know that that call did not come for families of nearly 1,500 victims, and their grief remains today. We also know that nearly 100 hostages still remain in Gaza, held in captivity under horrific, unspeakable conditions by Hamas — including four Americans who are still believed to be alive.

It’s hard one year later to fully grasp the magnitude of the atrocities committed on Oct. 7 and the senseless violence and loss of life that day. But we must remember, so that the horrors do not become diminished in our collective memories. We must continue to bear witness to history and give voice to those who have been silenced in captivity or who are no longer with us.

U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas addresses the Oct. 7 vigil at the New Hampshire State House.

So today, we remember the young people who were celebrating life at a music festival when they were gunned down. The women who were brutally raped and mutilated. The babies who were killed in their cribs. The young families who huddled together as shots rang out. And the people on the kibbutzim who have been working for years to make peace with Palestinians, only to be killed in their homes in the most violent manner possible.

These were crimes against the Jewish people, and they were crimes against all of humanity, too.

I think it’s important to say unequivocally that the state of Israel has a right to exist, that the Jews of Israel have a right to exist, and that they have every right to defend themselves against those who have sworn to wipe them off the map.

We also cannot let this day pass without acknowledging the rising hatred and antisemitism that has gotten exponentially worse since Oct. 7 in public spaces and campuses all across our country. And it’s happened to New Hampshire, where members of the Jewish community have been harassed, targeted by hate and vandalism.

It cannot be allowed to go unchecked. Every time, we must say with one voice that hate will be given no safe harbor in our communities. And whenever and wherever antisemitism emerges from the shadows, we all have a responsibility to confront it. And we will do that together, with people from every background, because the Jewish community is not alone in this fight.

As we move forward, we’re all eager for the hate and violence and bloodshed to come to an end, for the hostages to be released and for all people to be able to live in peace and in security. But this won’t happen until Hamas releases all the remaining hostages and ensures that they can get back to their families and agrees to a ceasefire agreement with Israel.

So on this dark, solemn day, I am grateful that so many decided to turn out here tonight, that we’re here with people from every corner of our state, from every walk of life, from every religious faith to remember and to say together: ‘Never, never again.’

Thank you for being here. Let’s all keep our thoughts and prayers focused on the individuals who were killed and who were taken hostage. May their families find comfort and peace through the despair, and may their memory truly be a blessing.”