Place of Hamas-Geisel in Berlin: “How can life go on when my son is caught in a tunnel?” | EUROtoday

According to the phobia from October 7, 2023, 59 Israeli hostages are nonetheless within the violence of Hamas terrorists within the Gaza Strip. Since Wednesday, Berlin’s Bebelplatz – the historic place the place Nazi burned books in 1933 – has as soon as once more been a spot to commemorate the hostages. 59 empty chairs are harking back to the fates of the individuals who have been held in prisoners for over 550 days.

The initiator of the “Platz der Hamas-Geiseln”, Melody Suchharewicz, has constructed up with a workforce of volunteers and associate organizations along with the empty chairs: a hourglass that’s speculated to remind you of the racid lifetime of the hostages, two cages wherein tied dolls are captured. In a showcase there are books by the killed Geisel Carmel Gat, in the course of the sq. there’s a yellow piano that’s harking back to the pianist Alon Ohel, who has been captured in a tunnel in Gaza for a 12 months and a half.

The mannequin of the sq. is the “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv, which was constructed after the bloodbath of October seventh. The Israeli ambassador, Ron Prosor, used the opening of the sq. in Berlin to denounce the inactivity of the International Red Cross: “I hear no voices that demand visits to the hostages. The world is silent.” The Red Cross is not only a taxi service, Prosor instructed round 200 guests to the opening. The obligation of the Red Cross should be visited and medical.

The designated State Secretary within the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Gitta Connemann, drew consideration to the historic legacy of Bebelplatz: “92 years ago, people watched. Even today we are experiencing booming silence in Germany, Europe and the rest of the world”. “Never again” isn’t an empty components, says the CDU politician.

“He’s a sensitive boy,” says Alon Ohel’s mom

Idit Ohel, mom of 24-year-old Alon, who continues to be captured in Gaza, got here to Berlin to open the Hamas Geiseln Square. “We have to save him,” stated Ohel in her speech. “Alon is a sensitive boy, a loving person, a talented pianist”. His love for music introduced him to the Nova Festival, from which he was kidnapped over 550 days ago-and, in distinction to lots of his mates, barely escaped demise.

Of the 27 folks with whom he hid in a shelter, Hamas terrorists killed 16. Idit Ohel’s son has been captured for round a 12 months and a half. “Can you imagine that? Over 550 days in a tunnel, without light, in inhumane circumstances,” Ohel referred to as on stage. Two hostages that had been held along with their son might be launched in February on account of the hostage deal. “Since then, Alon has to endure this pain alone. How can life go on if my son is caught in a tunnel, alone, hurt and without food?”

Ohel emphasizes to the world that the yellow piano, which is now on Bebelplatz – is especially essential to her – a logo for her son. “People can play on it, it shows solidarity.”

The proven fact that her son continues to be within the Hamas tunnels is insufferable for them. “When I came to this place and saw this installation: you can see a doll in a cage, with blood, with chains – that was very difficult for me to endure.” She knew what her son goes via. “But sometimes, if you see it physically, it’s just terrifying. My son can’t scream, but he actually screams – he says: get me out of here, save me. And I do that for him. I say what he can’t say. I say it – and I scream.” Sometimes she feels that folks did not hear. “Understand that happens in 2025. This is not something that happened 70 years ago.”

“It worries me – primarily for Germany”

Around 200 folks got here to reopen the Hamas Geiseln sq., considerably lower than to Palestinian demonstrations in Berlin. “That worries me – primarily for Germany,” stated Melody Suchharewicz, one of many initiators of the memorial. “What does that mean for German society or the democratic substance of German society that radical pro-Palestinians feel so strong that they distribute Hamas triangle and take thousands on the streets and that the people who are on the side of freedom and democracy are afraid and are silent.”

“We look at the new government with a lot of hope and assume that we will now see a lot of commitment, not only in words, but also in actions,” stated Sucharewicz. CDU politician Johann WadePhul acquired the mom of German-Israelis Alon as one in every of his first acts as a chosen overseas minister.

Sucharewicz stated that she has little question that the upcoming German authorities will now do every part potential to have deeds adopted. “We had many important appointments, with the request that Germany’s political and economic power must be used in favor of liberating the hostages to free the hostages from the terror tunnels of Hamas.”