Prayers for Israel’s hostages… and the innocent children of Gaza caught up in the carnage as the IDF unleashes bombardments on Hamas
- JW3 Jewish Community Center in North London hosted a powerful installation
- On each chair there is a photo of a person held hostage by Hamas
- Five high chairs represent the children taken by the terrorist group
It seems like the start of a wonderful party. Kiddush wine, challah bread and flowers decorate a dining table set for 229 last night.
But no one was allowed to dine here. If you look a little closer, the heartbreaking meaning of this scene becomes clearer.
On each chair there is a photo of a person held hostage by Hamas. There are even five high chairs to represent the hostage children.
The powerful art installation at the JW3 Jewish community center in Finchley, north London, was organized by Jewish campaigners calling for the return of the 229 hostages.
It opened at the start of Shabbat – the Jewish holiday of rest that begins at sunset on Friday.
On each chair there is a photo of a person held hostage by Hamas
Several teddy bears and stuffed animals were left behind to represent the children killed and kidnapped by Hamas
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: “All these chairs represent, in a sense, the scale of the crime committed by Hamas.
Unveiling the installation, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said: “All these chairs represent in a sense the scale of the crime committed by Hamas.
“And now when you look at these tables and chairs, this is our statement that we care, that we miss all those prisoners.
“The entire Jewish people around the world are one mishpacha – one family – and that is why now, wherever we are, we share the pain of all Israelis and long for peace.”
Noam Sagi, whose 75-year-old mother Ada Sagi remains held captive in the Gaza Strip, also addressed the event.
In a speech that left many attendees in tears, he said: “Stop these tortures and these mind games and bring them back home now.”
Yesterday marked 20 days since the Hamas terror attack in Israel claimed 1,400 lives. Palestinian officials say Israel’s response has killed nearly 3,000 children. Yesterday,
British children left teddy bears at the Foreign Office in London to commemorate those killed in Gaza.
Their parents staged a protest to accuse the British government of being ‘complicit’ in civilian deaths caused by Israeli airstrikes.
They demanded a withdrawal of military aid to Israel and that Britain call for an immediate ceasefire.