From the Liveblog of
Saturday, March 9, 2024
Women link hands at Tel Aviv rally to highlight plight of female hostages
Cnaan Lidor is The Times of Israel's Jewish World reporter
Thousands of women create a human chain at the weekly rally calling for the release of hostages at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, as they spotlight the 19 remaining female prisoners presumed to be held by Hamas.
The 21st consecutive weekly rally comes a day after International Women’s Day and less than a week after the release of a UN report which determined that female hostages were likely subjected to sexual violence and torture.
The rally, organized by The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, features a predominantly female lineup, including Shira Albag, the mother of hostage Liri Albag, who turned 19 last month, and Daria Gonen, the sister of hostage Romi Gonen.
The event’s host, actress Yael Abecassis, thanks the women in the crowd for cooperating with her request that the women in attendance hold hands in recognition of International Women’s Day.
“I know it’s maybe weird and maybe feels too intimate but let’s join hands and send strength to our sisters in Gaza,” says Abecassis.
