The first light of Hanukkah, the Jewish festival known as the Feast of Lights, was lit at the Great Synagogue in Rome. The families of four Israeli hostages in the hands of Hamas participated at the event. Welcoming the delegation to the synagogue was the Jewish Community of Rome, which joined the Palestinian organization in calling for the release of the hostages and the return of the bodies. Also present at the ceremony were the families of Hadar Goldin and Oron Shaul, the two soldiers killed in the Strip, whose remains are being held by Hamas, and those of Hisham al-Sayed and Menghistu Averà, two Israeli citizens of Bedouin origins who had been in Gaza for eight years and held in prison by the Palestinian faction. Families were also received by the Pope. "The meeting with the Pontiff – said Zeava, mother of Oron Shaul – was profound and moving. I am sure that the Pontiff will do everything he can to help us bring back my son Oron and the other hostages".
|