Message to the Hostages on Rosh Hashana 5785

On October 7, 2023, 252 Israelis and other nationals which included elderly, women, men, children and babies, were kidnapped by Hamas into Gaza. As of this post, 101 hostages remain captive, including a baby that turned one in captivity. This is my message to the hostages who are nearing 1 year in the hands of terrorists.

To all our brothers and sisters held in captivity by Hamas terrorists for 363 days,

I want you to know that we have not forgotten you. Israel has not forgotten you and we will not let the world forget you. You WILL return home. Your faces, names and stories will not leave the public arena until the day you do.

In the weeks after October 7, most of us returned to a semblance of normalcy, while living in the shadow of war. Please do not think for a second that this means we have forgotten you. We carry you with us every minute of every day. For 363 days, I have woken up, gone through the motions and gone to sleep, praying for your safe return and willing each of you to stay strong and maintain conviction that you will come home. During these months, everything we do while you are still there feels unnatural and a violation of some unspoken code we have between us as citizens. We are working to keep Israel strong the only way we know how to – by living and defending our right to live. We do this not instead of bringing you home but to ensure that we will have a secure, thriving home to bring you back to.

For 363 days, our hearts have broken over and over, clinging to the hope that each day might bring news of your release or rescue and no news about injured / fallen soldiers. For me, it has been unbearable. And yet, there is much worse – your families’ anguish, helplessness, sleepless nights, longing. And yet, there is much worse. Because, I then think about you. I think about each of you regardless of your gender or age. Not a single one of you deserves to be in enemy hands. Your only ‘crime’ was dancing at a music festival or sleeping in your bed on a peaceful Saturday morning. You were brutally abducted by savages and we couldn’t stop it. You’ve been held captive in inhumane conditions, abused and tortured and we have not been able to stop it. The nation and IDF are strong, but as individuals, we are distraught and feel helpless.

I want to believe we are doing everything in our power to bring you home. And yet, I know it is not enough because nearly 1 year later, you are there and not here. I want to ask your forgiveness because you should never have been kidnapped and should have been home long ago.

I hope very soon your families will embrace you, that you will heal quickly from this trauma and that all of Israel and Jewish people will be able to rejoice in your return.

I cannot wish a Happy New Year because you are suffering and without you here, we have irreparable holes in our hearts. But I do want to send you strength and hope and please know that you are not forgotten, every minute of every day, you are with us. Until you are home, we are not whole.

Come home soon,

Netalie