At Kibbutz Be’eri, German president vows to ‘not remain silent’ until all the hostages return

President Isaac Herzog and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier visit Kibbutz Be’eri, where they presented plans for a new art gallery and planted a tree together, marking their second joint visit to the community since it was brutally attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

The German government has significantly contributed toward the reconstruction of the Be’eri Gallery, which was utterly destroyed by Hamas and is now being rebuilt, says Herzog’s office in a statement.

“I truly hope and believe that after the horrible period that we have gone through and are going through, we shall see also peace in this region with our neighbors,” says Herzog, adding that “let’s hope that we inaugurate the beautiful gallery and Be’eri thrives and flourishes, and the region thrives and flourishes in peace.”

Steinmeier says: “Here, a year ago, we were shocked by the atrocities committed by Hamas. We saw the destroyed art gallery… We promised to help to rebuild this place.”

“Yet we are further away from the future than we would wish,” he continues, saying, “The kibbutz is not yet inhabited, the wounds are deep… 585 days after the massacre, there are still hostages in the hands of Hamas, including German companions… Germany will not forget them, and I will not forget them. Our voice will not remain silent, as long as they have not returned.”

The presidents also met with leaders and residents of the kibbutz, some of whom are survivors of the October 7 attack, Herzog’s office adds.

Plans for reconstructing the gallery were presented at a special ceremony, before the presidents planted a tree “as a symbol of renewal and hope for the Be’eri community,” the statement says.

Last night, Herzog presented Steinmeier with the Presidential Award of Honor, after returning from Berlin where he held a reciprocal state visit earlier this week.