The UK will join a worldwide call to bring the hostages home as thousands are expected to march through London on June 2.
Coinciding with the annual Israel Day Parade held in New York, Jewish and non-Jewish organisations are being invited to march in delegations alongside family members of the hostages. Individuals who are not part of an organisation are also able to take part.
Orit Eyal-Fibeesh, from 7/10 Human Chain, one of the organisers, said: “The message is that this is a global and united call to bring the hostages home now. The feeling is that time is running out – or even that time has run out – as fewer and fewer hostages are left.”
“We are really concerned for those who are still alive, especially for the girls, but for all of them. Stories are emerging of them being raped regularly. There is a real sense of urgency now.”
Twenty-four countries around the world will also be holding marches that day in major cities, including Paris, Madrid, Berlin and Melbourne.
In the UK, among organisations expected to join the march are the Board of Deputies, WIZO and Zionist youth movements. They will carry their own banners, together with posters of the hostages. Organisers are hoping that groups from cities outside London, such as Cambridge, Brighton and Oxford, will travel to London to join the march.
Eyal-Fibeesh said: “There is real concern that the awareness of the plight of the hostages is being forgotten by the mainstream media. Through this significant event, we will send a message to the world that there is nothing more urgent than reaching a deal to end the suffering by releasing the hostages."
She added that the march would also show "our support for the resilient hostage families and remarkable people of Israel who demonstrate solidarity during these challenging times”.
On October 7, over 1,200 people were murdered by Hamas terrorists and more than 250 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage. 125 remain in Gaza, including four people taken hostage in 2014 and 2015. At least 37 of them are presumed dead, with Hamas holding on to the bodies.
Sunday’s march calling for their release will start at 2pm in a central London location and last for just under an hour, before attendees gather to listen to speakers, including Lionel Benjamin, cousin of Ron Benyamin who was murdered in captivity, Prof. Daniel Shek, the former Israeli ambassador to France, Dr Nader Fallah, representing the Iranian community who opposed the IRGC and who have been supporting Israel since October 7, and Lord Polak, CBE, former director the Conservative Friends of Israel. Other speakers, including relatives of the hostages, are yet to be announced.
The march is being organised with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum UK. The exact location will be published nearer the time.
Please register your participation here
If you are able to donate to the BringThemHomeNow campaign, click here
