ROME –Yom Hazikaron, the Jewish Community embraced hostages’ families

Yom Hazikaron is Israel’s day of remembrance for its fallen soldiers and the victims of terrorism, a celebration in which the Italian Jewish community usually participates. In Rome, a ceremony organized in collaboration with the Israeli Embassy in Italy was held in the courtyard of the Jewish school. Here hundreds of people embraced the families of five Israeli hostages, Idan Shtivi, Jonathan Samerano, Uriel Baruch, Mohammad Alatrash and Shay Levinson. 

The hope of their return is no longer an option and the families are now asking for it that Hamas return their bodies so that they can have a proper burial. In a meeting with the press, organized the day before by the Union of the Italian Jewish Community the day before, the families launched a unanimous appeal: do not leave us alone, listen to our stories. 

“Grief and memory don’t know borders or religions,” said the Israeli Ambassador to Italy Jonathan Peled. “The State of Israel has not been given to us on a silver tray, and we are still fighting four our independence and security. Today is a day of unity, and we are all a big family. In the ceremony, the many Roman Jews fallen to defend Israel were honored, and so was the child Stefano Gaj Taché, killed by the terrorist attack to the Great Synagogue of Rome on October, 9, 1982. 

“Their names and faces live in our hearts,” said the president of the Jewish Community of Rome, Victor Fadlun. “Since October 7, every day is a day of mourning. It is like a second war of independence: we are lonelier, but also stronger.” 

“Israel has dealt and is still dealing with a war to defend its borders and citizens, but also to affirm the values of freedom that go far beyond its borders, and are embodied in the concept of the Jewish state.” In this scenario, she added, the Italian Jewish community, can play an important role. “As Jewish communities, we are committed to the coexistence of civilizations and faiths, both in Italy and in Europe, to remind everybody that religions, when not abused, are bearers of good and support.”