On August 26, Tel Aviv University Canada and The StartUp Nation organization will host an event in Montreal titled Voices of Nova: Inspiring Stories of Strength and Heroism. The promotional flyer bills the evening as an opportunity to hear from Nova Festival survivors Romi Harari, Zohar Rubinstein, and Amit Parizer alongside “Israeli National Hero” Rami Davidian.
As documented extensively in The Mael Review Substack, Davidian’s so-called heroism is a manufactured tale. He has been exposed for fabricating and embellishing his role during the October 7 Hamas attack. Davidian has claimed to have rescued hundreds of festivalgoers under fire and even to have fought off terrorists with an improvised weapon. Multiple eyewitnesses, evidence reviews, and contradictions in his own statements have undermined these accounts. Credible investigations suggest his participation in rescues was marginal at best and that he later exploited the tragedy for personal and financial gain.
Awarding such a figure the title of “national hero” and placing him alongside genuine survivors is not simply an error in judgment. It is an insult to actual victims and rescuers. His presence risks turning a solemn commemoration into a platform for self-promotion built on falsehoods.
The damage from allowing hoaxers into the public memory of October 7 is profound. It distorts history, erodes trust in survivor testimony, and diverts honor and support away from those who truly acted with courage. For Canadian organizers, the choice to feature Davidian raises uncomfortable questions. Did they vet his story? Have they considered how survivors and bereaved families will feel seeing him celebrated?
If this event is truly about truth, bravery, and healing, it should begin by removing speakers who have none of the above to offer.
