“We want them back!”
That was the rallying cry for a million people across Israel on Sunday, as life came to a halt in a massive, nationwide strike. Nearly one in ten Israelis — the equivalent of 34 million Americans — stopped what they were doing to stand with the families of the 50 hostages still held captive in Gaza.
For 681 days — nearly two years — these families have lived in anguish. Their loved ones have been starved, tortured, and ignored. And while the media covers Gaza daily, it chooses to turn away from Hamas’s crimes.
“The Issue of Hostages Is Not Left or Right”
At Hostage Square in Tel Aviv, HonestReporting spoke with families who feel the world has forgotten them. Ruby Chen, whose son Itay was murdered on October 7, put it bluntly:
“For 22 months, I have been unable to bury my son and begin to mourn. And why has the American media turned a blind eye to the 47 American citizens kidnapped that day?”
Former hostage Eli Sharabi explained what the cameras often miss:
“The issue of hostages is not left or right, it’s straight down the middle.”
These are not political demands. They are humane demands: Bring them home.
The Faces Behind the Numbers
This is not about headlines, but about people:
The Horn family: 79-year-old Yitzhak Horn had two sons taken. One was returned. The other is still in Gaza.
Bipin Joshi: a 23-year-old student from Nepal, kidnapped after saving others on October 7. His mother and sister flew to Israel to beg for his release.
The Cunio family: Eight members were kidnapped on October 7. Brothers David and Ariel are still in Gaza.
These stories are the real news. This is how the media should tell it: not about governments or politics, but about families, about humanity, about justice.
The Media’s Complicity
As HonestReporting wrote:
“The media is playing a part in prolonging this war by continually parroting Hamas propaganda and allowing them to get away blame free. The media ignores the hostages, so the public forgets they’re there.”
When the cameras turn away, the suffering continues. When the headlines erase the hostages, the pressure on Hamas disappears.
A Call to Modern-Day Esthers
As Modern-Day Esthers, we cannot forget. We must pray for the release of every hostage, lift up their families in their agony, and demand that their plight be told.
The words echoing from Hostage Square must echo in our hearts too:
“We want them back!”
Lord, we pray for every hostage in Gaza. Strengthen their families. Shake the conscience of the world. And give courage to leaders to act until every captive is set free. Amen.
Source: HonestReporting — Watch the video here ➜
Republished with Permission
