Hundreds of stores shut at BIG shopping centers to honor victims of October 7

By Sharon Wrobel

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14 January 2024, 1:25 pm

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Sharon Wrobel is a tech reporter for The Times of Israel

Hundreds of stores in BIG shopping centers across Israel shut down amid 100 minute strike to mark 100 days since the October 7 Hamas assault, January 14, 2024. (Sharon Wrobel)

Hundreds of shops, restaurants and cafes come to a standstill at 24 BIG Shopping Centers during a 100-minute labor strike to commemorate the 100th day since the abduction of hostages by the Hamas terror group on October 7.

“We haven’t seen this before, that commercial businesses shut down in such a magnitude, but we feel that this is the time for us too to show social responsibility and do everything we can to put pressure on the government to bring back the hostages,” BIG Shopping Center CEO Hay Galis tells The Times of Israel on the sidelines of a ceremony held outside the Yehud BIG Shopping Center during the 100-minute shutdown.

Family members of the hostages and BIG shopping center management representatives join the ceremony wearing yellow shirts and giving speeches.

“To the Knesset and a government that brought this upon us – you have failed! And in particular, you failed in bringing back the hostages,” says Eitan Bar Zeev, chairman of BIG Shopping Center. “I have lost faith in you. Disconnected government.”

“Stop taking care of your seat and come to your senses to set your priorities right to return the captives now,” Bar Zeev says in a call to politicians.

Speaking at the ceremony is Yoni Asher, whose wife and two young daughters were released after being held as hostages by Hamas terrorists in Gaza for 49 days. “Without bringing back the hostages there will be no trust and without trust there will be no government,” says Asher.

Also speaking at the ceremony is Shahar Ohel, cousin of Alon Ohel, 22, a budding pianist who was abducted by Hamas terrorists from a crowded shelter in a field on October 7.

Ohel’s family started a project that began with bringing a yellow piano to the Hostages Plaza in Tel Aviv, representing the hope that he will return.

A yellow piano is displayed outside the BIG shopping center in Yehud to represent hostage Alon Ohel, 22, who was taken captive by Hamas during the October 7 assault, January 14, 2024. (Sharon Wrobel)

Visitors are invited to play the piano and send love and strength. Additional yellow pianos will now be placed at a number of BIG Shopping Centers, including in Yehud.

Among the retail and food chains joining the effort are Fox, Fox Home, Foot Locker, Laline, Mango, American Eagle, Flying Tiger, Nike, Billabong, Saks, Castro, Hoodies, Tuftan, Carolina, Togo, Factory 54, H&M, Kravitz, Ronen Chen clothing, Lee Cooper, Nine West, Jack Cuba, Opticana, Optica Halperin, Cafe Cafe, McDonald’s, Mega Sport, Elite, Intima, Golf & Co, Kitan, Steimatzky, and Adika.