The people of Israel are living through one of the most difficult times in their history. Since October 7, 2023, we have been living as if in an endless horror thriller. We sit in the darkness, tense, waiting for it to finally be over and the light to come on. That we can take a breath of fresh air and breathe a sigh of relief. But in the midst of this darkness, sparkling lights keep coming up.
Merav Gonen, the mother of Romi Gonen, who was kidnapped at the Nova festival and taken to the Gaza Strip, was a very present voice in the fight for the return of the hostages. She fought like a lioness for her daughter to return alive. She spoke at demonstrations, in live broadcasts and interviews. She never rested for a moment – and all of this with unshakable optimism. Merav never gave up for a moment; she knew deep in her heart that Romi would return home. During the whole long ordeal, she kept the image in her head of her daughter Romi coming straight back into her arms. On their active Facebook page, this optimism could always be felt despite the enormous difficulties.
Yesterday, when the first rumors and reports emerged that her daughter Romi would be among the three hostages to be released by Hamas, Merav packed a suitcase for her daughter – for the hospital where she would supposedly meet Romi – and said:
“We already know which hospital she will go to. We have a suitcase with her clothes. Now we are wondering where her perfume is. What deodorant does she prefer? And what shampoo we should bring so that she can regain her own identity through the things she knows.
“I am not sure if she will come to the country walking – hopefully she will! But even if she returns in a wheelchair, she is my daughter. After all, I gave birth to her and her coming home now is like a rebirth of my daughter! Breathe a little more, my love, just a little more – we are almost there and you will be here with us, in a safe Israel, ready for the next stage of our lives. And tell that to all the other hostages you meet there. Tell them exactly that: There is a whole people waiting for you, a strong people. Be strong, my love.”
When Romi arrived in Israel yesterday – after 470 days – the first thing she asked was: “Where is my mommy? Where is my mommy?” You can see the picture of her sitting in her mother’s arms, right after their reunion, both of them holding each other tightly as if she had just come out of the womb. The picture speaks for itself and tells the whole story. Yesterday was a holiday. Yesterday we breathed a sigh of relief again.
Three of our sisters, women, have returned to the borders of Israel, from hell, and they are home: Romi Gonen (24), Emily Damari (28) and Doron Steinbrecher (31). At home – Aviel and I – we prayed the “Shehecheyanu”: “Blessed are You, Eternal, our God, King of the universe, who has let us live, who has preserved us and who has allowed us to reach this time.” I think most people in the country have called out this prayer in their hearts.
Yesterday the lights came on again, the room became brighter, and the endless horror film stopped for a moment. Everything we have been through in the last 15 months condensed into this pure moment – the moment of the return of the hostages, our sisters.
We were euphoric, even though we know that the young women have to go through rehabilitation and that they have experienced terrible things at the hands of Hamas in hell. In the picture of Doron hugging her father, you can practically feel the pain. Her expression tells a story – and that story is probably a difficult one. I suspect a lot, but I don’t want to think about what our sisters went through during the 471 days underground in the Gaza Strip. But now Doron, Romi and Emily are here, at home, embraced with love and warmth by their families and friends.
As my son Tomer said to me, “I believe everything can be cured.” He added, “If Gilad Shalit, who was alone in captivity for five years, was able to recover, I believe anyone can.” I hope you are right, my son. The image of Emily with such a wide smile on her face while raising her injured, bandaged hand reminded us of what is really important in life.
Yesterday was a joyful day for us. The country dressed in celebration; we all breathed a sigh of relief and celebrated the true joy of the return of part of our people home. But in the same breath, I would also like to mention yesterday’s return of soldier Oron Shaul. A major operation was carried out to return to the country his body, who fell about ten years ago during the Gaza operation “Protective Edge” in 2014 and whose body was abducted by Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It was known that Oron was dead, but for his mother Zehava and the family it is a tremendous relief to know that he will now rest in the soil of Israel.
We know there is still a long way to go, but we see that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We hope that everything will lead to all hostages, our sisters and brothers – without exception – being home soon. That is my prayer. Ninety-four hostages are still crouched underground in Gaza awaiting their release and liberation, while almost the entire people of Israel are praying for them and waiting for their return home.
How and what did Reuben say at the cistern when he saw that Joseph had disappeared after being sold to strangers: “The boy is gone! And where shall I go?” (Genesis 37:30).
If our sisters and brothers do not return, I do not know where we will go or end up as a people. Biblically, we are obligated not to abandon our neighbor in need – “not to stand over his blood.” The return of all is crucial for our continued, healthy existence as the people of Israel – for our minds and our souls. The hour of grace has come.
