We didn’t include this in our annual update, as it’s really not our story, and also because it’s so horrifying.
We were appalled by the events of October 7 in Israel, which hit our family there. Ben’s cousin Ayalah is married to David, whose sister was killed in Kibbutz Be’eri along with two brothers-in-law and a caretaker for one of them. Seven more relatives were taken hostage that day, including three children aged 12, 8, and 3. David’s brother, Aviv, is a journalist in Israel, and is featured in this youtube video, where the disaster is explained. Six of the hostages in this family were freed on the second day of hostage exchanges (after more than 50 days), but one is still in Gaza along with more than 130 others.
At the top left of the image below is David’s sister, to the right her daughter and two grandchildren. This is a screen grab from Israeli TV showing the hostages exchanged on the second day.
We have no words for the terror these innocent people must have felt. We can offer no simple answer to what is a terribly complex situation there. We just hope that smarter minds than ours will find a path to an equitable, long-term solution.
Thank you. We wish all of us a much better year. Love Michelle and Miki
It is family of my american family, so it is so close.
I imagine that your israel family must be traumatised. How are the children going? I feel useless and I share your comment of hoping some people who will find the right pass.