1,000 call for release of hostages at emotional ‘Israel in our Herts’ rally

More than 1,000 people from Hertfordshire and around London came together on Sunday 17th March in support of Israel and to call for the immediate return of the 134 hostages who remain in Hamas captivity.

The rally featured prominent speakers including the Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Reverend Hayley Ace, co-founder Christian Action Against Antisemitism, Michael Wegier, chief executive officer, the Board of Deputies, Rabbi Gershon Silins from the Liberal Synagogue Elstree, university student Hannah Curtis who spoke of her experience of anti-semitism at university and leader of Hertsmere Borough Council, Jeremy Newmark.

The cross-communal event also partnered with the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), Hertfordshire Jewish Forum and Christian Action Against Antisemitism (CAAA).

Sharon Lipchitz described how her parents were kidnapped on 7th October. Oded was taken with his wife Yocheved, aged 85. On October 23rd Yocheved was released. The couple, who were among the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz, are peace activists and regularly transported patients from Gaza to receive medical treatment in hospitals across Israel.

Oded is a passionate advocate for human rights. Sharon called for a hostage deal and said her father was already elderly and frail and “didn’t have time”. She moved the crowd to tears as she read the names of the hostages from her parent’s kibbutz including the Bibas family – including Kifir who celebrated his first birthday in captivity and his four-year-old brother, Ariel.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis said; “The hostages remain at the forefront of our minds until the last one comes home. We will cry out to the world’s leaders, ‘Bring Them Home’. They are our brothers and sisters, part of the global Jewish family. We are so heartened and encouraged that it’s not just us…we are joined globally by so many good friends of the Jewish people who are showing solidarity with us, some of whom are here today, and to you I say thank you so very very much”.

Josh Moont, one of the event organisers said: “It was so important to bring together people from across the many Jewish communities as well as our Christian friends and those of all faiths and no faith, so show our unwavering support for Israel and to not let the world forget about the plight of the 134 hostages who remain in captivity.

“Our rally was one of solidarity where we sang songs of peace and concluded with the Israeli national anthem  – which means ‘The Hope’ followed by God Save the King, demonstrating our proud Britishness underpinned by core Jewish values. We hope and pray for a speedy end to the war, peace for all peoples and the immediate return of the hostages to their families.”

Rabbi Alex Chapper, senior rabbi of Borehamwood & Elstree United Synagogue said: “You feel very proud when over a thousand people gather in your local park to show solidarity with Israel and call for the release of all the hostages”

Rabbi Gershon Silins, representing Progressive Judaism said: “We gathered together as a group from all parts of the Jewish community, and beyond, to let the world know that the Israeli hostages are ours as well – and to let Israel know that they are not dancing alone in the dark… we are with them.”

The ‘Israel in our Herts’ event was made possible by the generous support of the United Synagogue, Liberal Judaism and the Movement for Reform Judaism, The Israeli Embassy, The British Board of Deputies and StandWithUs.

Organisers have been holding events since October 13th 2023 and gather each week in Borehamwood to hold a vigil for the hostages.