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Voices of Hope & Desperation: Rally in Central Park Calls for Release of Hostages Held by Hamas
Edited by: Fern Sidman
New York City’s Central Park became the stage for a poignant and powerful plea on Sunday as over 3,000 people gathered in a rally organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, calling for the release of the 134 individuals still held captive in Gaza by Hamas terrorists, as was reported in The Times of Israel. The atmosphere was charged with a mix of solidarity, determination, and desperation as participants waved Israeli flags alongside those of more than 30 other nations, symbolizing the diverse nationalities of the hostages.
BRING THEM HOME!! BRING THEM HOME!! 🎗️🎗️🎗️
Central Park Pro-Israel rally marches through the park chanting “Bring Them Home Now!” 🇮🇱👑 pic.twitter.com/OVfKMoKcKH
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) March 10, 2024
Among the voices echoing through Central Park was that of Keren Munder, a former hostage who had experienced the brutality of captivity firsthand. Taken from her family’s home in Kibbutz Nir Oz, along with her 8-year-old son Ohad, Munder spoke with a raw sincerity that resonated with the crowd.
“Their physical and mental condition was very tough,” she shared, according to the TOI report. She reflected on the harrowing experiences of those still held captive. “A lot of time has passed since then.” Her words painted a somber picture of the enduring suffering of those ensnared in the grip of terrorism.
Despite her own ordeal, Munder expressed gratitude to the assembled crowd for their unwavering support of the hostages and their families. “I don’t know how much longer they can survive,” she declared, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. As was noted in the TOI report, her plea was not just for her fellow hostages but for humanity’s collective empathy and action.
WOW ! Thousands of people gathered in NYC’s Central Park to call for the release of the hostages. Thank you so much, this is truly heart warming.
Bring. Them. Home. Now! 🎗️
— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) March 10, 2024
Survivors and families of victims find themselves caught in a maelstrom of emotions – abandonment, anger, sadness, grief, and guilt. The inability to properly mourn each loss within the chaos of fighting for the hostages weighs heavily on their hearts.
Kibbutz Nir Oz, once a tranquil agricultural community, was transformed into a scene of devastation on October 7th. The attack claimed the lives of 50 residents and 77 kidnapped by Hamas terrorists, leaving behind a community grappling with unimaginable grief and uncertainty, as was indicated in a recently published report on National Public Radio. Among the hostages, 37 remain in captivity, including Elad Katzir, whose fate hangs in the balance.
Gilad Korngold, another parent grappling with the nightmare of a kidnapped child, addressed the crowd with a plea fueled by anguish and urgency. The information in the TOI report indicated that his son, Tal Shoham, was taken captive from Kibbutz Be’eri, and the toll on their families is immeasurable.
“Every day our sons and daughters are tortured, beaten, and raped. We must do everything to bring them home,” Korngold exclaimed, the pain evident in every word. The report in the TOI pointed out that his impassioned call for action resonated with the shared sense of responsibility felt by the gathered crowd. The magnitude of the suffering faced by these hostages and their families became painfully clear.
Thank you to each and every one of you who gathered in Central Park in support of the Israeli hostages being held captive by Hamas.
We will not rest until ALL OF OUR LOVED ONES are home. pic.twitter.com/hIvtH0KxMy
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) March 10, 2024
The diverse display of flags, representing the nationalities of the hostages, served as a poignant visual reminder of the global impact of terrorism. As Israeli flags fluttered alongside those from over 30 other nations, Central Park transformed into a symbol of unity against the darkness of captivity, the TOI report said.
The rally was not just a local event; it was a global call for justice and compassion. The flags, held high by protesters, embodied the collective hope for the safe return of the hostages and the end of the anguish faced by their families.
While not in attendance at the Central Park rally on Sunday, Carmit Palty Katzir spoke to National Public Radio from Israel.
Central Park
I ❤️ NY
pic.twitter.com/tbhc202ooD— Carlos Abadi (@NewSamawal) March 10, 2024
“We almost didn’t have time to grieve, to mourn my dad,” Katzir shared in an interview with NPR. For her, the pain of loss is compounded by the relentless fight to secure the release of her mother Hana, 77, and her older brother Elad, 47, who were taken hostage by Hamas terrorists, as was noted in the NPR report. Her father Rami, 79, was killed in the attack, leaving behind a void that can never be filled.
“I feel guilty all the time,” Katzir confessed to NPR, as her words echoed the sentiments of many in similar situations. The burden of guilt is exacerbated by the constant struggle to balance advocating for their loved ones’ release and honoring the memory of those lost.
Amidst the turmoil, Katzir and her sister faced an agonizing decision – where to lay their father to rest. With their mother and brother held captive in Gaza, the choice to bury their father in the kibbutz, despite the dangers, was one made out of love and respect.
“It was very obvious for us that my dad would want to be buried in the kibbutz,” Katzir reflected, according to the NPR report. The decision, though fraught with risk, symbolized the unwavering bond that ties their family to their roots, even in the face of adversity.
As war planes drone overhead, a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict that haunts their daily lives, Katzir and countless others like her find solace in their resilience. Their unwavering determination to secure the release of their loved ones is a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure even the darkest of days. Though the road ahead may be fraught with uncertainty, their resolve remains unshaken, fueled by love, hope, and an unwavering belief in the power of perseverance.
Over 3,000 people showed up to support the families of the hostages in a very impactful #BringThemHomeNow rally in Central Park (for the 20th week…). We will be here every week until they are all back@ShanyGranot @Omer_Lubi @MosheELavi @MarkTreyger718 @Lynn4NYC @EricDinowitzNYC pic.twitter.com/RXlXw928p8
— Gil Zussman (@gil_zussman) March 10, 2024
The rally in Central Park was more than a gathering; it was a collective cry for justice and freedom. Keren Munder and Gilad Korngold, sharing their personal stories, became the voices of the many silent sufferers. The flags, a mosaic of nations, testified to the universal desire for a world free from the shackles of terrorism. As the echoes of their pleas lingered in the air, the hope for the release of the 134 hostages became a shared mission, binding hearts and nations in the pursuit of a brighter, more compassionate future.
