From the Liveblog of
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Families of those killed, taken captive on Oct. 7 gather in Jerusalem to mourn their loved ones
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Shomrim Al Habayit Hameshutaf (Safeguarding our Common Home), a Jerusalem-based group that organized anti-judicial overhaul protests, holds a short, moving gathering at the city’s Paris Square to mourn and hear from family members of those who were killed and taken captive on October 7.
Moshe Shapira, father of Aner Shapira, recalls his 22-year-old son, who he says fought against homophobia, played classical piano and believed in unity before being killed by Hamas terrorists at the Supernova desert rave.
Shapira tells about the last 30 minutes of Aner’s life, when he and his best friend, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, took cover in a shelter with 24 other people. Aner told them that he was a combat soldier and as the others lay down on the floor, covering their heads with their hands, he stood at the front of the shelter, catching five or six grenades thrown by the terrorists and throwing them back out again. The last one blew up in his hand, killing him.
“Good can fight evil,” says Shapira. “Aner was a person without ammunition, without a uniform, without orders and he understood that he had to offer a response and he put himself as the response.”
Seven people survived in the shelter while several others were taken captive.
Mai Albini speaks about his grandfather, Chaim Peri, who was taken captive on October 7 from Kibbutz Nir Oz. Hamas terrorists destroyed his house but didn’t kill Peri and his wife who were hiding in the safe room. When one of the terrorists later returned, Peri pushed him away, knowing he would return with additional forces. In the interim, he hid his wife behind the couch in the safe room.
The terrorists found Peri and told him to come with them. Peri hesitated, then realized it would save his wife’s life and was taken captive, says Albini.
“Almost 80 people from Nir Oz are captives in Gaza,” says Albini. “Nothing is working here. I don’t believe the government will bring them back. I believe in our society, in our people, in our community, in my friends, in the soldiers. We will win, despite our leadership.”
“I have belief in peace,” continues Albini. “My grandfather is an activist and his love for this country is deep in my being.”
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