Approximately 500 Jews and Christians gathered last Monday in central London for a rare and emotional display of solidarity at the Marble Arch Synagogue. The event was initiated by the Zionist Council in Israel and the World Zionist Organization.
The event opened with remarks from Tova Dorfman, President of the World Zionist Organization, and Reverend Hayley Ayres, head of the local Christian community. This was followed by a speech from Sigal Steiner-Mansouri, the bereaved mother of Nuriel and Roya z”l, who were murdered at the Nova festival. Her remarks marked the opening of the photography exhibition “Final Embrace” by photographer Yifat Peer, which tells the stories of 26 victims of the war through the eyes of their mothers.
Dorfman addressed the hundreds of attendees and thanked them for their courageous support. Reverend Hayley Ayres said:
“You’re thanking us, but we are the ones who should be thanking you—for placing your trust in us. We are not only standing beside you—we are standing in front of you. If anyone wants to harm the Jews, they will have to go through us first.”
Participants had the opportunity to learn about the stories of Roya and Nuriel Mansouri z”l and the stories of the bereaved mothers featured in “Final Embrace” by Yifat Peer, who sought to give the mothers a voice to commemorate their children with a message of resilience, strength, and hope. Next to each photograph, the bereaved mother shares a personal and painful text describing the character of the son or daughter she lost, and the moment of their final embrace. Initiated by the Zionist Council in Israel, the exhibition has been displayed in ten cities across Israel, at the UN headquarters, and in Buenos Aires.
Steiner-Mansouri chose to commemorate her daughters with the following words:
“Nuriel was our eldest daughter—beautiful inside and out, responsible, talented, and full of initiative. She had a keen eye and a unique gift for fashion and design, and she wanted to help at-risk girls. Sadly, Nuriel never got to fulfill her dream.
“Roya was a beautiful child, full of light and joy, funny, modest, and full of generosity and compassion for the world. She was everyone’s pillar of strength, spreading light wherever she went, always quick to lend a hand, help, and be there in the right moment when someone needed her.”
Attorney Oz Chaim, CEO of the Zionist Council in Israel, said:
“Here in the heart of London, at a time when anti-Israel and anti-Jewish protests are widespread, we stand proudly surrounded by friends from the Jewish and Christian communities. It is a great privilege to deliver this important message to both the local and global community from this very place. Despite the profound pain that still pulses, we must bring light, highlight the support for Israel, and provide strength for rebuilding.
“Thanks to the local community for your commitment and partnership, to the exhibition’s photographer Yifat Peer, and to Osnat Barda [projects manager at the WZO].”
Gil Segal, Deputy Chairman of the World Zionist Organization, added:
“The Jewish community of London has a rich and deep tradition. We are working to continue and strengthen the strong connection between the State of Israel and the Jewish Diaspora—a connection that is a fundamental part of Israel’s identity as the homeland of the entire Jewish people.
“In that spirit of solidarity and closeness, we held a meaningful meeting with representatives of the Christian community, who came to express support, respect, and build bridges between religions and peoples.
“Special thanks to Sigal Steiner-Mansouri for her significant contribution to this important cause.”
