Over 1,000 flags memorializing victims of the Oct. 7 attack in Israel will likely be reinstalled in the fall. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

In a study session on June 27, the Beverly Hills City Council supported the temporary reinstallation of flags commemorating the hundreds of people killed during the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel. Over 1,000 flags representing the lives lost will likely return to Beverly Gardens Park this fall. Additionally, the City Council unanimously indicated support for a permanent memorial installation in the city, similar to the city’s existing 9/11 Memorial Garden on North Rexford Drive.

City staff will now create a report that lays out the cost of reinstalling the flag display, which will likely take place in late September or early October. City staff will return to the council with a resolution to formally approve the flag display.

Many residents submitted public comments in support of the flag display reinstallation and permanent Oct. 7 memorial. According to Mayor Lester Friedman, the city received 3,174 letters in support and none against the two memorials.

“As a lifelong resident, I’m immensely proud of our city, proud to call Beverly Hills home,” Kathy Melamed said. “The flag installation was internationally recognized and brought comfort to all of us. I ask all of you to honor our legacy as you have done before by always standing on the right side of humanity by creating a permanent memorial to those lives lost on [Oct. 7] – the lives of Jewish people, Muslims, Christians from many countries around the world.”

Sherwin Shamoeil, a representative from the office of Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur (D-Hollywood), spoke in favor of the flag reinstallation and permanent memorial.

“In the wake of the acts of antisemitism we saw on Pico-Robertson, now as much as ever it is imperative we work to create a community that the Jewish community not only feels safe worshipping in but going about their lives. The assembly member is fully supportive of this body’s efforts,” Shamoeil said.

Representatives from the United Jewish Coalition and Iranian-American Jewish Federation also spoke in support of the planned memorial.

While the city has yet to determine the specifics of the permanent memorial, suggestions for a location included the south side of the library or Rexford Mini Park – adjacent to the 9/11 Memorial Garden outside the Beverly Hills Fire Station. An ad-hoc committee will convene to discuss the permanent memorial, taking into account community input and safety concerns.

Beverly Hills Police Department Chief Mark Stainbrook advised on security issues surrounding the proposed memorial.

“We have to be sensitive to the fact that with the world politics the way they are – and I just received a briefing from the FBI this morning – a memorial like this could be the subject of people who may want to damage or destroy or protest there,” Stainbrook said.

Friedman echoed Stainbrook’s security concerns and said the ad-hoc committee will work to create a memorial that includes comprehensive safety measures.