Paws for thought: Meet Molly, the dog working to Bring Them Home

In the Orthodox Jewish community of Stamford Hill, London, Molly, a four-year-old Belgian Malinois, has become something of a local celebrity. Donning a specially made coat embroidered with the message 'Bring Them Home' alongside the Israeli and British flags—Molly is the devoted companion of Avrumi Sampson, better known as Ginger, a passionate advocate for the return of the Israeli hostages and for peace and justice in the Middle East.

Ginger, a professional in security evictions, is a familiar face at pro-Israel demonstrations across the city. He and Molly often draw significant attention, and her coat sparkles curiosity and conversation. Molly’s training is as remarkable as her role. Part of her training came from a close friend of Ginger’s who trained dogs in the elite Israeli Dog Unit, Oketz, known for their expertise in military and security operations.

"People love Molly, and she makes it easier to start conversations, and possibly helps to diffuse difficult ones," says Ginger. The duo’s advocacy has been met with a mix of reactions. While most encounters are positive, Ginger doesn’t shy away from engaging with critics, though states that most end peacefully. He recalls one particularly memorable instance in a shop in Primrose Hill, where a man confronted him aggressively, but they did manage to have a lengthy conversation and "in the end he shook my hand and thanked me for my time. That’s what I aim for- a civilised dialogue."

For those who criticise Israel without an understanding of the context and its complexities, Ginger has a bold offer: "I’ll pay for them to visit Israel and see it for themselves. It’s better to think critically and independently than to follow crowds and repeat clichés."