Avichai Brodech, from Kibbutz Kfar Azza, married to Hagar and they have three children, Ofri, 10, Yuval, 8, and Uriah, 4, who were abducted to Gaza, met Thursday with Qatar's ambassador to Washington, Mashaal al-Thani.
Shabbat table with 224 empty chairs in honor of the abductees held in Gaza. Photo: Nonam Galai
This is the first official meeting between the senior Qatari representative and an Israeli family since the outbreak of the war. The meeting took place in a positive and sensitive atmosphere.
Avichai thanked the ambassador for Qatar's significant role in the efforts to free the hostages in Gaza. "As a parent, father of three children held by Hamas in Gaza, I hope Qatar continues its efforts to immediately bring my wife and three children, and more than 30 children held hostage by Hamas, home."
During the meeting, the importance of returning the children as soon as possible was emphasized. "More than 30 children have been held hostage for 20 days, every minute feels like hell." It should be noted that Qatar is one of Hamas' main client states, and in addition to transferring funds to the Gaza Strip, it hosts senior Hamas figures such as Khaled Mashaal.
Photos of the abducted children, photo: #freethechildrennow
After meeting with the Qatari ambassador, Avichai went on to a series of personal meetings with members of Congress and the Senate, including Ralph Nader (New York), Tom Cotton (Arkansas), John Fetterman (Pennsylvania), Chris (Delaware), Chuck Schumer (New York) and Jackie Rosen (Nevada).
The meetings with the members of Congress were conducted with deep identification with Avichai's pain and the pain of the families in Israel. The American public expressed deep shock at Hamas' actions, supported Israel's right to defend itself and take the necessary actions, and assured Avichai that they would do everything in their power to bring about the speedy release of the priority children and all the abductees.
It was heartbreaking to speak today with Avichai, an Israeli from K'var Aza whose wife and three children were taken hostage by Hamas.
This is not only a war crime but unacceptable for all humanity.
Hamas must immediately free the hostages, especially the 30 children they took. pic.twitter.com/FeVmkMBPeR
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) October 26, 2023
The delegation to the United States is accompanied by businessmen Eitan Stibbe and Guy Aharon as part of the international initiative for the release of abducted children. Important meetings will also be held today in the United States.
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