Community rallies at central London vigil for hostages - The Jewish Chronicle

Dozens of people gathered in London this week to show support for the return of the remaining Israeli hostages, who have been held in Hamas captivity since October 7.

It came after Hamas said it was postponing the release of more hostages “until further notice”, accusing Israel of violating the terms of the fragile three-week-old ceasefire deal.

In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu threatened to end the truce if the terror group fails to return hostages on Saturday.

Since then, new reports from Saudi outlet Asharq News have stated that Hamas has said that the next release of three hostages would be going ahead, reportedly contingent on Israel supplying caravans, tents, fuel, heavy equipment, medicines and hospital renovation materials to Gaza.

Joshua Heinrich, the former president of Westminster Jewish Society (JSoc), 22, was one of the attendees at the weekly Board of Deputies’ vigil opposite Downing Street on Wednesday.

Joshua Heinrich said he was 'scared' about the condition of the hostages still in Gaza captivity[Missing Credit]

“The released hostages say we should go out onto the streets until they are all released because we cannot conclude with October 7 until everyone who was kidnapped on October 7 [comes home],” he said.

After Hamas’ threat not to release further hostages, Heinrich said he had felt “scared” for the remaining captives, particularly given the frail and emaciated condition of Ohad Ben-Ami, Or Levy and Eli Sharabi, who were freed on Saturday.

“I’m really scared for them, because if they look like the ones [recently] released, what will happen if they stay even longer in Gaza?”

The silent vigils run by the Board began in December 2023. MPs and peers have attended in the past, including Lord Mann and Lord Pickles.

Jennifer Broster, 65, is a Christian from Surrey. She was almost “kicked out” of her local village church because of her support for Israel.

Jennifer Broster, a Christian, was almost kicked out of her local village church due to her support for Israel[Missing Credit]

“I stand with Israel, I support Israel, I support justice and it’s disgusting what has happened,” she said. “I’m here just to show respect for the hostages and to their families and to show that they’re not being forgotten.”

Broster has been sending hand-written cards, which are then given to the hostage families in Israel as part of the Cards of Care initiative. She began coming to the demonstrations about eight months ago and has been attending weekly as a form of advocacy.

The demonstrations have attracted Israeli participants, including Dana Usher, 33. She said the hostage families are “in my heart”.

“Especially after the release of the hostages we saw this past weekend, we understand more than ever the urgency. There is no time to waste,” she said.

Another Israeli who came to the rally was Daniel Zilberderg, 42. His sister is close to the families of Omer Shem Tov, who was 20 when Hamas abducted him from the Nova festival, and Sagui Dekel-Chen, an Israeli-American and father of three girls, who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz.

Israeli Daniel Zilberderg said he considers the hostages his 'family'[Missing Credit]

“Every hostage is like my bother or my sister. We are all one big family,” said Zilberderg.

When he saw the malnourished Ben-Ami, Levy and Sharabi, his mind turned to Holocaust victims. “For every human being, not just for Jews, it reminded us of the photos from 1945. It shows us who are our enemies and why we need to put on a lot of pressure to bring them home as soon as possible.”

“Having seen the state of the hostages after 15 months of captivity, we cannot wait any longer for them to come out,” said Sheldon stone, 69, also at the demonstration. He said the deal, which sets out a phased release, is no-longer fit for purpose “having seen the state of the hostages”.

“We need the community in this country to be raising the profile of this issue,” he said.

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