Hostage photos and shoes displayed in a square near the UN headquarters
Protest to Israel’s Foreign Minister, “Where have you been?”
As the armed conflict between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas continues for about three weeks, families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas held a rally in New York to call for the international community’s attention.
The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 24th (local time) that 220 pairs of shoes and photos of hostages taken by Hamas were displayed in a square near the United Nations headquarters in New York. This was prepared by families hoping for the safe return of the hostages to urge active rescue measures from the Israeli government and the international community.
On this day, a Security Council meeting was held at the UN headquarters on the issue of Israel and Palestine.
“Hamas’s attacks did not occur in a vacuum,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said at a Security Council meeting. “It is important to recognize that the Palestinian people have been under 56 years of suffocating occupation.”
He added, “We cannot justify the horrific attacks by Hamas, but we also cannot justify the collective punishment inflicted by Israel on the Palestinian people.”
Protest participants were outraged by this remark and criticized President Guterres.
Omer Neutra, whose son was taken hostage by Hamas, said, “I heard President Guterres say that Israel is also responsible (for the Hamas attack),” and “I feel ashamed of the United Nations.” “I will never meet the president,” he said.
Rally participants shouted, “Where have you been all this time?” and “Shame on you,” towards Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen after the Security Council meeting. The New York Times interpreted this act as reflecting the disappointment and betrayal that many Israelis felt from their own government.
Zaychik, whose six family members were kidnapped by Hamas, said, “Everyone knows what it feels like to love your family,” and added, “I hope the hostages return home safely. “Please pay attention,” he urged.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.