As the Jewish holiday of Passover began in Israel, families gathered for the traditional Seder meal, albeit under the cloud of war with Hamas and the ongoing captivity of 133 hostages. The holiday, which recounts the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt, held a poignant resonance given the continued detention of loved ones by the terror group.
Some Israelis marked the occasion with symbolic gestures. At the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, members of Kibbutz Be’eri, where many were killed or taken hostage in October’s Hamas onslaught, held a Seder and sang the traditional song “Mah Nishtana” (Four Questions). Nine-year-old Emily Hand, who was kidnapped and released during a truce in November, was among those who sang.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and war cabinet minister Gadi Eisenkot visited the families, with Eisenkot acknowledging the “incomplete” nature of his family’s Seder, given the absence of his son killed in the war.
Prime Minister Netanyahu also addressed the hostage situation. “Our hearts are heavy with the plight of the 133 Israelis who remain in captivity in Hamas’ terror tunnels,” he said, vowing to continue efforts to secure their release.
Amidst the ongoing war, Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel as families sat down for the festive meal. The IDF responded by shelling the launch sites.
Meanwhile, families of the hostages and supporters held a protest outside Netanyahu’s residence, demanding action to free their loved ones. Rachel Goldberg-Polin, whose son was taken hostage in October, urged the government to find a way to bring them home. “All of the symbolic things we do at the Seder will take on a much more profound and deep meaning this year,” she said.
The Hostage and Missing Family Forum encouraged families to leave an empty chair at their Seder table with a portrait of a hostage. According to estimates, 129 hostages remain in Hamas captivity, with the fate of others unknown.
