From the Liveblog of
Friday, April 4, 2025
At start of Jerusalem Marathon, ex-hostage Karina Ariev says running symbolizes ‘strength, freedom’
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Freed hostage Karina Ariev delivers a brief speech at the start of the Jerusalem Marathon, where she is running the five-kilometer race along with Jerusalem mayor, Moshe Lion.
“My name is Karina Ariev, and I’m standing here today, after 477 days in captivity. I am privileged to be here with you at the start line, free,” she starts, to applause from the crowd.
“Until two months ago, I didn’t think I would get to come home from captivity, let alone start a marathon in Jerusalem, the city that I was born and raised in,” says Ariev, a surveillance soldier snatched by Hamas from the Nahal Oz outpost on October 7, 2023 and freed during the recent ceasefire.
“For me, running symbolizes strength, and above all, freedom,” says Ariev. “I’m not just here for myself, I am here for those who were not able to return, for those who fell, for those who are still waiting, and for those who are forever in our hearts.”
She asks the marathon participants to “feel the freedom” as they run today.
“Dedicate your run to the memories of our heroes who laid down their lives so that we could be here today, to the hostages who should return safely and quickly, and to us, and for all the people of Israel,” she adds.
שורדת השבי קרינה ארייב נואמת בהזנקת מרתון ירושלים: "כשתרוצו הרגישו את החופש, הקדישו את הריצה לזכר הגיבורים והגיבורות שלנו שהקריבו את חייהם כדי שנוכל לעמוד פה היום, עבור החטופים שיחזרו בשלמות ובמהרה, עבורנו ועבור כל עם ישראל"@nakash_noam pic.twitter.com/QqITNa0HBC
— גלצ (@GLZRadio) April 4, 2025
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