Kafir Bibs' birthday at Hatofim Square (Photo: Niv Aharonson)
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Today (Thursday) in the Kidnapped Square in Tel Aviv we marked the one year anniversary of Kafir Bibs who was kidnapped to Gaza in the Hamas surprise attack on October 7.
The Biebs family spoke for the release of Kfir, of Ariel his four-year-old older brother, and of Jordan and his parents' songs.
The event was moderated by Tal Mosari and the artist Gili Werner, and Ohad Hitman, Assaf Eshtar and the Sharonit Choir performed alongside them.
Tal Mosari said in a voice choked with tears: "Impossible and so painful and difficult, yet we are raising our children in this country", and dedicated the song "Yald shal' Aba" to the families of the abductees.
The bride of the Israel Prize, the actress Miriam Zohar, said on stage: "You can't help but relate to the picture of this boy, what a wonderful smile. I can only wish that we celebrate his two-year birthday together, and that everyone goes home now."
One year birthday celebrations of Kafir Biebs, Kidnapped Square, January 18, 2024/Niv Aharonson
One year birthday celebrations of Kafir Biebs, Kidnapped Square, January 18, 2024/Niv Aharonson
Yifat, Shiri Biebs' sister, said on stage: "I want to thank everyone on behalf of the extended Biebs family. To everyone who came here today to hug us and support us on this difficult day. The amazing gestures that have been flooding us since this morning from every direction in the country and from every corner of the world, from Argentina, from Switzerland , from France, from London, from distant Japan and Canada, strengthen us a lot, and show us how important it is for everyone to see our family and all 136 abductees at home in the bosom of their families. We, all of us, have tremendous power. We have an important voice and it's time for us to voice it together without fear Let's make sure that we don't celebrate any more birthdays for abductees without him. Let's make sure that every boy and girl who is waiting for their father to return from captivity won't have to wait any longer. Let's make sure that the grandson who has been fighting for three months in front of the whole world to free his grandfather from captivity. Let's make sure that every mother who doesn't sleep It's been three months and she wants to hug her daughter."
At this point, Yifat burst into tears and added: "And most importantly, let's make sure that no one tells us, over our heads and at the expense of our loved ones, with big slogans, that only one way will free them. I see all the amazing children here and the amazing children in the audience, who came to celebrate It's Kafir's birthday, and I'm missing two here - Ariel and Kafir, two that can still be saved. We have tremendous power. Let's bring them home. Kafir, we miss and love you and we'll celebrate together next year."
One year birthday celebrations of Kfir Bibs, Kidnapped Square, January 18, 2024/Walla! System, Sagi Ben Nonon
Earlier today, the country's president Yitzhak Herzog sat on stage at the International Economic Forum conference held in Davos, Switzerland, next to a picture of Kafir Bibbs.
"Our enemy is celebrating the kidnapping of Kfir Bibs. I call on the entire international community to work for the release of Kfir and all the abductees," he said.
To mark the birthday of the kidnapped baby Kafir Bibs: the President with his picture on the stage of the World Economic Conference in Davos/Government Press Office, Amos Ben Gershom
Yesterday, Kfir's aunt, Ofri Bibbs, wrote a letter in honor of his birthday: "Pir Pir, today is your birthday. I am sure that even there, in the terrible place where you are, mother Shiri finds a creative way to mark this day for you"
"Father Jordan, although that he is far away, thinking about you every second, as he has done since he kissed you and parted," wrote his aunt Ofri in her letter.
"We're here too - we don't stop missing you, your sweet smile, your cuddling in our arms, the rolling laugh. There's so much more we haven't had time with you. Trying to imagine where you are - if you've already said the first word. Are you standing up? Maybe you've already started walking? We have already lost so much time with you."
"I hope you have some holy innocence left that is reserved for children," wrote Ofri, "that you get out of there and still manage to believe that there is good. So many people want you to be good. The greatest gift we can give you is that we will be able to bring you back. And we are trying, trying every day, trying with all our might. Hang in there."
More on the same topic:
abducted
War of Iron Swords
Gaza war