“I want to hug my son. I want to say to him, ‘You are safe now.’”
These were the words of Galia David, mother of Evyatar David, at a moving encounter with community professionals organised by the Board of Deputies this week.
Evyatar was taken hostage at the Nova music festival on 7 October 2023 — 642 days ago. In February, a horrifying video showed him in a van, forced to watch fellow captives being released while he remained behind.
Galia was joined by other brave women — relatives of hostages Oz Daniel, Matan Angrest, Sahar Baruch, and Bipin Joshi. They spoke of young men: some no longer alive, others gravely wounded, and many believed to have been tortured.
These women — from different ages and backgrounds — have become powerful advocates not only for their loved ones, but for the entire Jewish people. They travel the world, determined that no hostage will be forgotten.
They carried one clear, unwavering message, as they said: “There must be no deal that leaves even one hostage behind. No selection. One deal — for everyone.”
by Jo Grose
Chief Executive Officer
United Synagogue