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Voices of Resilience: Israeli Girl, Hila Rotem Shoshani, Advocates for Hostage Release in Times Square
Edited by: Fern Sidman
In a poignant display of courage and determination, 13-year-old Hila Rotem Shoshani, who recently survived over a month of captivity under Hamas, made a heartfelt plea in Times Square on Saturday, urging for the release of the remaining hostages still held by the terrorist group in Gaza, as was reported by the New York Post. Speaking softly to a crowd gathered at Father Duffy Square, Hila shared her own harrowing experience and called on the world to recognize the plight of those still held captive.
New York: Released hostage, Hila Rotem-Shoshani, 13 years old, along with the delegation of hostages’ family members who arrived in New York, came to Times Square to inaugurate the massive hourglass that was placed in Duffy Square to mark 100 days since their loved ones were… pic.twitter.com/AmbLxGgmp7
— Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) January 13, 2024
Sunday marked the 100th day of captivity for approximately 132 victims still being held by Hamas. In a symbolic gesture, Hila, along with relatives of other hostages, gathered around an hourglass made in Israel, reminiscent of the one in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, according to the Post report. The hourglass, turned every two hours, was crafted by a program involving troubled youth, aimed at supporting the families of hostages in their struggle to bring their loved ones back home, as announced by organizer Shany Granot-Lubaton.
Gili Roman, the older brother of Yarden Roman Gat, who endured 54 days of captivity under Hamas, was among the speakers. As indicated in the report in the Post, Yarden’s sister-in-law, Carmel Gat, an occupational therapist, is still held in Gaza. Reports suggest that Carmel played a vital role in guiding fellow captives through yoga and meditation during her captivity.
🚨TIMES SQUARE RALLY MARKS 100 DAYS OF CAPTIVITY
A 13-year-old Israeli girl, Hila Rotem Shoshani, who survived over a month in Hamas captivity, joined a rally in Times Square to mark 100 days since the hostage crisis began.
The rally urgently demands the release of the 132… pic.twitter.com/wFNqpDFrPm
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 14, 2024
When addressing the crowd, Roman emphasized the prolonged duration of captivity for his sister-in-law. “Fifty-four days seems like a very long time, but now we’re almost double the time since Carmel was taken into Gaza and being held in harsh conditions. We asked for this hourglass clock to be put here as a symbol for all of us — time is running out for the hostages but also for us,” he said, according to the Post report. Gili stressed the urgency of the situation, expressing concern that the extended captivity of hostages sends the wrong message to the world.
“We’re sending the wrong message to the world that this is acceptable, for people to be in captivity as hostages by a terror organization as a tool for war for 100 days. All of us here in Times Square need to stop and understand that this is unacceptable,” Gili added, calling for collective awareness and action against such practices, as was noted in the Post report.
Hila Rotem Shoshani was taken captive from Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel on October 7, alongside her mother, Raaia, and her nine-year-old friend, Emily Hand. The Post also reported that while the girls were released on the second day of the temporary ceasefire in November, Hila’s mother, Raaia, remains in captivity. The emotional appearance of Hila in Times Square serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of those who have faced captivity and their unwavering determination to see their loved ones freed.
13 year old Hila Rotem Shoshani was held hostage by Hamas for 50 days.
She flew all the way to New York City and stood in front of the @UN, to advocate for the 136 Israeli hostages who have yet to be freed.#BringThemAllHomeNow 🎗️
📷 Omer Kaplan pic.twitter.com/aIgdjn3N2S
— Israel ישראל 🇮🇱 (@Israel) January 13, 2024
Hila described life in Hamas captivity as “hell,” and revealed the profound impact of the ordeal on those who have endured captivity. The report in the Post said that Yair Rotem, Hila’s uncle and brother of Raaia, who remains in Hamas custody, also took the stage, painting a grim picture of the condition of the hostages still held in Gaza.
Speaking with deep concern, Yair shared the harsh realities faced by the hostages, revealing that some had been severely injured, with limbs cut off. The uncertainty surrounding their medical treatment and the potential horrors of abuse, including rape, added to the anguish expressed by Yair, as was reported by the Post. His impassioned plea emphasized the urgency of bringing all the hostages back home, underscoring the immediate need for their safety and well-being.
ריאיון עם הילה רותם שושני, בת ה-13 שנחטפה מביתה בשבת השחורה יחד עם אמה וחברתה הטובה אמילי.
interview with Hila Rotem Shoshani, 13-years-old girl who was kidnapped with her mother Raaya and released, and tells about the difficult conditions in captivity.@YunaLeibzon pic.twitter.com/6l6pU7c5bw
— החדשות – N12 (@N12News) January 13, 2024
Shani Moses Finkelstein, a 19-year-old, added a personal dimension to the crisis as she shared the story of her grandparents, Gadi Moses, 79, and Margalit Moses, 78, both taken hostage from their homes, according to the information provided in the Post report. Margalit was released after enduring 49 days in Gaza, but her physical and emotional scars persist. Gadi, whose partner Efrat was tragically murdered during the terror attack, remains in Hamas captivity.
A must watch: a 13 y old Hila Rotem Shoshani who was held captive for 49 days by the terror organisation Hamas #Hamas_is_ISIS
She makes this huge effort in NY, in the cold weather, to speak in English to the crowd. With @ShanyGranot pic.twitter.com/OrcoU5Oag4— Tal Schneider טל שניידר تال شنايدر (@talschneider) January 12, 2024
Expressing deep concern for her grandfather, Shani highlighted the approaching 100th day of his captivity, a milestone that intensifies the emotional toll on the families. Shani’s father, Yair Moses Finkelstein, stressed the purpose of their presence in New York, emphasizing the symbolic hourglass as a stark reminder that time is running out for those still held captive, the Post reported. The urgency conveyed by Yair underscored the collective plea for the safe return of the hostages, emphasizing the potential dire consequences if action is not taken promptly.
The stories shared in Times Square and near the United Nations depict a community united in pain, resilience, and determination. As these families advocate for the release of their loved ones, their voices echo not only in the bustling streets of New York but resonate across the globe, urging the international community to join in the call for justice and compassion.
