Board of Deputies planning weekly hostage vigils outside UK parliament

The Board of Deputies has said it will hold small weekly vigils outside Parliament for the return of hostages from Gaza and is asking the Jewish community to support it.

Leaders at the representative group for British Jews warned that it was “important for the public not to forget” those still being held captive by Hamas, despite several dozen have already returned home in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

“Any lasting peace is impossible as long as a single hostage remains,” said Board president Marie van der Zyl. “We continue to call to bring them home.”

Anyone prepared to sit vigil for two hours either on a Tuesday or Wednesday afternoon are being urged to sign up on the Board’s website. The vigils will take place while Parliament is in session.

“We hope that we will soon see the return of every man, woman, and child held hostage in Gaza by Hamas and other terror groups,” said the Board.

On Tuesday, 12 more hostages were freed in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners, meaning that 81 hostages have now been freed, with hopes of a similar trade on Wednesday. But the Board cautioned that more than 150 are still being held.

Vigils have been held throughout London ever since Hamas launched its deadly attack on 7 October. One vigil took place outside department store Harrods, which is owned by Qataris. The tiny Gulf kingdom, which hosts several Hamas political figures, has acted as mediator.

Sign up at https://bod.org.uk/sign-up-form-for-vigil-volunteers/