On a beautiful sunny day in Israel, hundreds of families across the country marched towards Jerusalem to demand action from the government to rescue loved ones taken hostage in the past year. The protestors started marching around noon in Tel Aviv, the country’s financial centre, and are expected to reach Jerusalem sometime in the late evening.
The protest was organised by the families of those taken hostage in 2020. Despite numerous attempts, the government has yet to secure the release of their loved ones. The captors have refused to negotiate and the families are now desperate for the government to take any action to bring the hostages home.
The march was mainly peaceful; however, there were reported scuffles at some points along the way. The protestors want the government to respond to their demands and see a genuine commitment to the cause. They have made it clear that they will remain peaceful as long as the government responds positively to their requests.
The march was led by the families themselves, and each of them carried placards with pictures of their loved ones. Many of the protestors had banners and flags that read: “Bring them back”, sending a powerful message to the government and Israel’s hostage-takers that the families will continue to push for the release of their loved ones.
The protest march is a bold and powerful move by the families and a reminder to the government that they are still fighting for justice. As the night draws to an end and the protestors approach the Iron Gate of Jerusalem, the world is hoping that this will be the beginning of the end for the families in grief and for the hostages in captivity.