Emily Damari describes Gaza hostage ordeal at UJIA dinner
Standing ovations as both the former hostage and Israeli President Isaac Herzog addressed those present
British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari addressed more than 550 people in central London on Thursday night in her first public speaking appearance in the UK since her release after 471 days in Hamas captivity in Gaza.
Wearing her trademark baseball cap, a tee-shirt emblazoned with the names of her close friends from Kibbutz Kfar Aza, twins Gali and Ziv Berman, who remain in captivity, and a black glove on her hand, now missing two fingers after being shot by Hamas terrorists, Damari stepped on stage for an interview with hostage advocate Emily Cohen.
Supported by a standing ovation, she recounted the terrifying moments of 7 October, telling the audience: “I didn’t want to be kidnapped, I would prefer to die. I took his gun, put it to my head and said: ‘Shoot me! Shoot me!’”
Watched on by her mother Mandy, who led a tireless international campaign for her daughter’s release—including meetings with prime ministers, presidents, foreign ministers and the Red Cross, and members of her wider family, she added: “Sometimes there would be up to six of us at a time, squeezed in a tiny cage just two metres by two metres” and described being moved around thirty Hamas and Gazan homes.
Damari warmly acknowledged the support of the British Jewish community for their unwavering support throughout her ordeal.
She spoke about the importance of solidarity, the role of UJIA in strengthening ties between Israel and the UK, and her continued fight to keep the plight of the remaining hostages—including the Berman twins —at the forefront of international attention.
Now 27 years old, they spent their birthday on September 10th in captivity, marking 707 days since they were taken on 7 October, 2023.
President Herzog, who also addressed the packed room, praised the enduring partnership between Israel and the British Jewish community. Guests in the audience included Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis and his wife Valerie, UJIA president Louise Jacobs, UJIA chair Zvi Noé, chief executive Mandie Winston, trustee Hilda Worth and British-Israeli film maker Sharone Lifschitz, whose father Oded Lifshitz, an 83-year-old peace activist and kibbutz pioneer, was murdered in captivity by Hamas,.
The Israeli President said: “We have the full right to defend ourselves. By combating the barbarism of Hamas and the genocidal aspirations of Iran, Israel is defending not only itself; Israel is fighting on behalf of the entire free world, on behalf of all peace-seeking nations, on behalf of Europe, on behalf of the UK. Israel is on the frontlines, combatting extremism and terror across the globe.”
During his trip, described as a private visit to support the UK’s Jewish community, Herzog met Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street, as well as the Leader of the Opposition, Kemi Badenoch.
Funds raised at the dinner will support UJIA’s vital projects in both the UK and Israel, including a new kindergarten at Kibbutz Be’eri.
Kidnapped from her home on Kibbutz Kfar Aza on October 7th 2023, Emily Damari was held in captivity for 471 days—over 15 months—before being released in January 2025.
In Gaza, 48 hostages remain; less than half are believed to still be alive.
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