On January 14, a bike ride and march were held to mark 100 days of captivity for the remaining hostages held by Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza. This was the address we gave at the gathering:
“Thank you for coming out today to show your support for the hostages.
My name is Tony Kan, President of the NZ Friends of Israel Association Incorporated.
As we’ve said before, today marks 100 days since October 7, since Israelis were cruelly attacked, atrocities committed and innocent civilians were ripped from their homes and held hostage.
It means a lot to the families of the hostages to know that you support them.
In NZ there are weekly vigils like this one organized by those who want to see the hostages freed and the people of Israel safe.
We want to thank Shalom New Zealand and its volunteers for creating the billboard campaign that has raised awareness of this tragedy to so many in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
We want to thank Bobby, Ariela, Ravit and others for sacrificing their time and energy to organize these weekly vigils.
There are hundreds of others who are sacrificing their time to debate and show their support on social media. We thank them too.
But in marking 100 days, we also recognize that the fight to bring back the hostages and to win Israel’s safety is not over.
This struggle may last many more months, if not years.
Churchill said:
In war: Be resolute
In Defeat: Be defiant
In victory: be magnanimous
In peace: be of good will.
This is the time to be resolute. Relentless. Enduring. Don’t give up. Do more than hang in there. Get on the front foot. Write to your mayor. Write to your MP. Write to Winston Peters. Write to Chris Luxon.
A cease fire will only take the pressure off Hamas and prolong captivity.
To those who are afraid because of the Anti-Semitism that has become so apparent in recent weeks, even in New Zealand.
Now that anti-semitism is out in the open, we can fight it.
Be strong. Be defiant. The only way to beat bullies is to stand up to them.
Have you ever wondered why Hashem commanded “be bold and courageous” in the Torah?
It is because there is a likelihood that we wouldn’t feel bold and courageous.
Hashem never commands you to do something impossible. For with Hashem, all things are possible. So be bold and courageous.
To those supporters who don’t count themselves as Jews yet you can recognize evil, when you see it:
Before October 7, anti-semitism in NZ was always here. Growing like mushrooms in the dark, fed by lies and conspiracy theories.
On September 4, 1942, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. reported that:
When the King of Denmark was told the Germans were going to press for the introduction of the Yellow Badge for Jews, he declared:
“When this happens, I shall wear the Yellow Star on my uniform in public and I shall order the entire Royal household to follow my example.”
The king of Denmark has shown us a key. You too can fight anti-Semitism by publicly and visually showing that you stand with all Jews.
When the anti-Semites realize that they cannot bully people into submission they will lose their nerve.
Stand up to Antisemitism wherever and whenever you encounter it. And give it a symbolic stiff uppercut.
To those who follow Hashem, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thank you for your prayers.
But remember the struggle, is not over.
Hamas continues to fight. Hostages are still in captivity and those who support Hamas in other countries are taking up arms.
Be resolute. Don’t stop.
Many of us limit our fight to what we can see.
But you who pray, like Elisha’s servant, who saw the hosts of angels above his city, know that this is only one part of the struggle.
Be resolute. Don’t stop.
To the families of the hostages, you are not alone. Know that even in a country, as far away as at the ends of the earth, there are thousands of people who are deeply concerned about your plight.
To the hostages, in case you see any phone footage of this demonstration, we urge you to
stay strong,
to keep believing that you will be free.
We won’t give up on you,
we will do all within our power to bring you back.
Finally,
The DCM, Yael Horan, at the Embassy of Israel has asked us,
the Christchurch community of supporters to adopt one of the hostage families.
One of the families that was taken hostage, was the Bibas Family.
They are a family who lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz
which is a community well known for its peace activism.
Their youngest, Kfir, was nine months old when he was kidnapped.
His first birthday is going to be this Thursday, January 18.
To mark his birthday, NZ Friends of Israel will be holding a special meeting at the Halswell Center at 7.30pm.
See you there.
Thank you.”
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