Hundreds join ‘Bring Them Home’ bike ride through London as world marks 100 days since Hamas attacks
Mike Marlowe, whose son Jake was killed on 7 October, was among the 500 cyclists, who took to their bikes in London on Sunday as part of a mass global solidarity ride
Hundreds of people cycled through London yesterday as part of an international solidarity bike ride to mark 100 days since the 7 October attacks and the kidnapping of hundreds of people to Gaza.
The #RideToBringThemHomeNow initiative was held in 40 cities across the globe including London, Tel Aviv, Paris, Melbourne, Buenos Aires New York and Malaga where four times Tour de France winner Chris Froome joined the Israel- Premier Tech team cycling in support of the missing hostages.
Froome is a member of the Israel – Premier Tech team, which organised the event together with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum and the Israeli Cycling Federation.
The London leg – a 7km ride around Regents Park – was led by organiser Howard Kayman, and Mike Marlowe, whose son Jake was murdered in the 7 October Hamas attacks.
Addressing the 500-strong crowd, Mike Marlowe said: “Wow, what a sight..” He said: “Each and every one of us should be filled with pride. Hamas see the hostages as nothing but a bargaining tool. We see them as our everything. That is how we, the Jewish people do things – as the name of the ride says; Bring Them Home. Wake up world.”
Marlowe road with a picture of missing hostage Shlomi Ziv on his t-shirt. Shlomi, like Jake, was working as part of the security team at the Supernova nature party on 7 October. Marlowe said the bike ride was “uplifting and peaceful” and condemned the International Red Cross and United Nations for their “shameful silence.”
The London riders were among tens of thousands worldwide who took to their bikes with yellow ribbons tied to the handlebars.
British Tour de France winner Chris Froome announced his participation in the ride earlier this month. He said: “As a human being, as a father myself – I cannot stand idly by. Their suffering and that of all the other hostages deeply affects me, and I call on all cyclists to come out for a solidarity ride that day – just as I will myself – in the hope that this show of support will bring them closer to returning home.”
Other riders included 28-year-old Czech rider Lukas Klement, inspired by Israeli riders who supported him when his bike was stolen during a visit. Klement rode for 24 hours this weekend, creating a course across the Czech Republic in the shape of a Star of David and the number 100.
Israeli Foreign Minister Yisrael Katz thanked all those involved in the project. He said: “From my first day as foreign minister, I set the return of the hostages as a top priority for our diplomatic work. The hostage ride event contributed to awareness and therefore is to be commended.”
London’s ride organiser Howard Kayman said: “Today was just a phenomenal day, something I will never forget.
“Everyone arrived on time, no mechanical problems and then the seven laps were magical. And a big thank you to Benuga, which supplied free coffee and pastries to all the riders, and to Treacle Factory, for printing the t-shirts for us.
He added: “The way the community came together was awesome and I pray that the hostages will be released soon so we can ride again, and celebrate.”
#ridetobringthemhomenow
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