After 58 days, Yonatan Mordechai Semerano, who was defined as abducted in Gaza, was pronounced dead. Last night (Sunday), the father of the family, Kobi, posted the obituary on Facebook. Hours before the announcement of his murder, his brother, Yair Semrano, 18, wrote a heartbreaking column:
I miss my brother, Jonathan. To his laughs, to his joy. Two whole months feels like one long, never-ending day. For two whole months I've been waiting to see him, his smile, a smile that I hope will remain on his beautiful face even when he returns from Hamas captivity, even after everything he's been through – and like me, all families want to receive their loved ones.
Stella Semrano, whose grandson was kidnapped from the party: "We were informed only after 10 days" (Archive) \\ Photo" Avi Cohen
For almost two months we don't really have a life. There is no desire for anything, there is no taste for food, there is no day and no night. Every video, every phone, and every news item bounces. Yonatan is my only brother, two months in which me, mom and dad can barely breathe.
137 abductees have been held captive by Hamas for almost two months, beautiful people who just went out dancing, young soldiers who enlisted to contribute to the country, civilians who were kidnapped from their homes in pajamas, from the place where they felt safest in the world. Women, children, young people and adults - they have all been kidnapped and everyone needs to return.
I am happy for those who returned, but my brother is not worth less than any child or woman who has been released to date, they must all be released now. Including Hadar Goldin, Oron Shaul, Avera Mangistu and Hisham al-Sayed who must also return to their families. We do not want and do not have to wait many years for our loved ones to return to us.
Jonathan Semrano's family,
They say that "we have no other country." I was born here, I grew up here, I love the country, but if they don't bring back my brother and the other abductees – how will you keep saying that? If there is a possibility of another deal, we must reach me as soon as possible - because I have already run out of patience and my brother is running out of time.
For two months now, everyone has been asking me – how can I help? The answer is: don't be indifferent. Every day you will demand the release of the hostages, at rallies, on social networks, in the media. Let the whole country stand on its feet for this cause. This is not a demonstration against the government, this is a demonstration for the lives of 137 citizens of the State of Israel.
After the release of the women and children, there is a slight feeling of "downshifting" and this frightens and worries me. When we talk about those who remained in captivity, we deal quite a bit with fathers whose family members were released, but in captivity there are also young men, children themselves. Now it's time to talk about everyone, all the abductees, and I won't rest until my brother and the other abductees return.
Brought to light: Noam (Dabol) Dvir
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