Hostage’s cousin leads thousands in Jerusalem rally where some plan to sleep on the street

By Jessica Steinberg

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19 March 2025, 5:32 pm 26 Edit

Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

Protesters at Jerusalem’s Paris Square on March 19, 2025. (Jessica Steinberg/Times of Israel)

Shay Dickmann, cousin of murdered hostage Carmel Gat, tearfully leads the mostly silent protest gathering by the Shift 101 group — which campaigns for the captives’ return — by singing the Jewish prayer for peace “Oseh Shalom” at Jerusalem’s Paris Square.

Thousands have gathered in the main downtown intersection, dressed in white, sitting on the asphalt.

Organizers announce that tents and sleeping bags are available for whoever is planning to sleep on the Jerusalem street.

“Whoever was abandoned must be returned!” calls one organizer.

“We won’t abandon you, we will bring you back!”