UK-based relatives of kidnapped Israelis say victims face ‘a second Holocaust’
Two London based Israelis whose parents were kidnapped by Hamas terrorists during the massacre at Kibbutz Nir Oz have told a packed press conference in London that 'one of the hostages was on the Kindertransport'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Two UK based Israelis whose parents have kidnapped by Hamas terrorists and taken into Gaza have appeared at a press conference in London to amplify demands from government and from the media to “bring them home”.
In an emotional testimony Noam Sagi, whose elderly mother was taken during the Saturday’s massacre in Kibbutz Nir Oz, told how his mother “who up to a massacre” as the terrorists “burned, butchered, slaughtered and kidnapped young kids and old people.”
He added of those who were captured from the kibbutz in southern Israel near Magen and Nirim;“People who survived the Holocaust found themselves facing another one.
“One of the hostages was on the Kindertransport.”
Speaking of his pain over his mother’s abduction, Sagi asked:“What is her crime? Why is she a hostage? For being Jewish in Israel?”
He continued: “This is a second Holocaust. They’ve been gassed, burned, butchered and slaughtered. They transferred a care home into Gaza”
Sharon Livshitz, whose elderly parents were also taken, said;””I shouldn’t be here today, I was supposed to go to Heathrow to pick up my mum. I am here because of pure evil.
“I feel hollow for the past few days, but I feel like we are strong. Together we are facing this thing, an act of such barbarity that it is coaxing us into hate and rage and wanting to destroy.”
During the press conference, organised by the Defend Israeli Democracy UK group, it was also claimed that a that a six-month-old baby named Ariel is among those unaccounted for.
Also taken was another young girl called Abigail. Others included: Tamir Adar, 38, Yafa Adar, 85, Noam Elyakim, Dikla Aava, 50, Dafna Elyakim, Timer Eliaz Arava, 17, Ela Elyakim, and Nahal Oz.
Press conference host Sharon Shochat described Hamas as a “modern day death squad” and told how terrorists had been complicit in rape” over the bodies of “their friends.”
Sagi said the kibbutz that was terrorised by Hamas is a “very, very small community” and that 80 people in total have been taken hostage.
He revealed that before coming to London he was extremely close to those on the kibbutz and will “do everything I can for them”.
Describing how the kibbutz was established by idealists who had many friends who were Palestinians, and who believed in co-operation of co-existence, Livshitz added:”“I am here because there is work to do. There are hostages in Gaza, my mum was disconnected from her oxygen and loaded onto a motorbike.
“My father spent his life fighting for peace. We are all his children when we ask for peace.”
Later, as he was asked a question by experienced BBC journalist Lucy Manning, who he had spoken with in an earlier news report, Sagi referenced the decision by the corporation not to label Hamas as “terrorist”, as a result of guidelines around objectivity.
He suggested the BBC must “call Hamas for what they are”.Sagi then suggested that media outlets are currently being “manipulated” by the terror group.
He went on to praise the UK government and the people of Britain, saying he had found comfort on Wednesday evening in the company of some members of the Jewish community in north London.Lifschitz told how her parents, aged 85 and 83, whom she is not naming out of fear for their safety, have fought for peace in the region all their lives.
The artist and academic, who also grew up on the kibbutz, said: “My father spent his life fighting for peace. I am his daughter. We are all his children.“When we ask for peace, we ask to see the human within each of us.”
But she added:”“I am not here for politics. I do not have the luxury of that. We need to act together to fight the hatred and say no to the massacre and destruction.
“I don’t accept butchery from Boko Haram, Islamic State or from our neighbours, Hamas.
“They have shown us that they have no mercy.”
Confirming they had heard nothing about their parents fate since they were taken on Saturday, Lifschitz said she has to “face my friends and tell them I’m doing my bit”.
She added that both herself and Sagi now have to fight for “those we can still save”.
Sagi told journalists he wants his son to be with his grandmother for his next birthday.
Watch the press conference here:https://youtu.be/Om4WnnWqEqU?t=1725
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
