Protesters gathered on Monday evening under the slogan "Our hope is not lost yet." The rally was attended by relatives of hostages and former hostages, as well as people from towns and communities affected by the October 7 terrorist attack, which triggered the Gaza War.
Monday was the annual day of remembrance of Israel's fallen soldiers who were victims of terrorism.
"We have turned from a united community into a broken and bereaved community," organizers quoted former hostage Ella Ben Ami as saying at the rally.
Ben Ami's father is still held by Hamas.The day of remembrance was filled with memories of the 101 murdered members, neighbors and friends of the kibbutz. “Seven of them are in Gaza and were not given a proper burial place, and their families cannot even cry over their graves.”
Another speaker accused the Israeli government of failing to prevent the terrorist attack: "The government that left its citizens to be kidnapped, murdered and raped, the government that was supposed to protect them with complete vigilance, should do so at no cost." There is no right to talk about." The lives of the hostages are not worth the price for their return."
Many rally participants carried Israeli flags printed with yellow ribbons, which symbolize hostages whose relatives and friends have been waiting more than seven months for their return.Israel's Independence Day celebrations this year were dominated by the October attacks and the war in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a pre-recorded speech that this Independence Day will be like no other.
“The war is still going on,” Netanyahu said. “It was imposed on us on that terrible day of terrible massacre.”
Israel launched its military campaign to eliminate Hamas following the unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel, when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and more than 200 in the Gaza Strip. Took people hostage.Nearly 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far, according to Gaza's Hamas-controlled health authority.
The large number of civilian casualties and the devastating humanitarian situation in the region have drawn sharp international criticism of Israel's actions.sd/svn
Monday was the annual day of remembrance of Israel's fallen soldiers who were victims of terrorism.
"We have turned from a united community into a broken and bereaved community," organizers quoted former hostage Ella Ben Ami as saying at the rally.
Ben Ami's father is still held by Hamas.The day of remembrance was filled with memories of the 101 murdered members, neighbors and friends of the kibbutz. “Seven of them are in Gaza and were not given a proper burial place, and their families cannot even cry over their graves.”
Another speaker accused the Israeli government of failing to prevent the terrorist attack: "The government that left its citizens to be kidnapped, murdered and raped, the government that was supposed to protect them with complete vigilance, should do so at no cost." There is no right to talk about." The lives of the hostages are not worth the price for their return."
Many rally participants carried Israeli flags printed with yellow ribbons, which symbolize hostages whose relatives and friends have been waiting more than seven months for their return.Israel's Independence Day celebrations this year were dominated by the October attacks and the war in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a pre-recorded speech that this Independence Day will be like no other.
“The war is still going on,” Netanyahu said. “It was imposed on us on that terrible day of terrible massacre.”
Israel launched its military campaign to eliminate Hamas following the unprecedented October 7 attack on southern Israel, when Hamas-led militants killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and more than 200 in the Gaza Strip. Took people hostage.Nearly 35,000 Palestinians have been killed in the war so far, according to Gaza's Hamas-controlled health authority.
The large number of civilian casualties and the devastating humanitarian situation in the region have drawn sharp international criticism of Israel's actions.sd/svn
