UPDATE: Eli Sharabi has marked his first Christmas in Wales after surviving 491 days in Hamas captivity. The emotional reunion took place last week as he celebrated alongside his brother-in-law, Steve Brisley, who had famously set an empty place at the table for Sharabi during Christmas 2022, symbolizing hope and longing.
This year’s Christmas gathering was filled with poignant memories, as Sharabi took his place at the table, a seat that had remained empty for far too long. Tragically, Sharabi lost his wife, Lianne, and daughters, Noiya and Yahel, in the October 7 attacks, making this celebration a bittersweet moment of resilience for him and the family.
Brisley, a tireless advocate for Sharabi’s release, highlighted the significant role community support played in his journey. “Eli loves Christmas and Sunday roasts,” Brisley stated during a session at Limmud on Tuesday, where he shared a photograph of Sharabi seated at the table, an image that resonated deeply with attendees.
JUST IN: During the same event, lawyers Adam Rose and Adam Wagner reflected on the challenges faced by families of hostages. Rose recounted advice from Richard Ratcliffe, who campaigned for his wife Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s release from Iranian custody, emphasizing that “the British government will only act if publicly embarrassed.” This insight proved crucial as Brisley called out the British government’s inadequate support for hostages.
Just 24 hours after Brisley’s remarks, former Foreign Secretary David Cameron announced enhanced support for families of British hostages, including the establishment of a dedicated support group within the Foreign Office. “We managed to get the British government to take its responsibility seriously,” Rose noted, expressing hope that the new structures would better protect hostages in the future.
However, challenges remain. Rose and Wagner criticized the government for not granting citizenship to the parents of Sharone Lifschitz, a British-Israeli hostage whose father was killed in Gaza. Wagner stated that while a compromise was reached to treat non-British hostages as “if they were British,” the overall response has been inadequate compared to other countries.
Lifschitz expressed gratitude for the efforts of Rose and Wagner, remarking, “You were always a few steps in front of us.” She praised the support system established for hostages, describing it as the most effective compared to other European nations.
As Sharabi celebrates this milestone in Wales, the fight for better support for hostages continues. The emotional weight of this Christmas serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by families affected by conflict. Authorities and advocates alike are now looking for ways to ensure that lessons are learned from this experience, as the threat of hostage situations remains ever-present.
Sharabi’s journey from captivity to Christmas cheer embodies the resilience of the human spirit, a story that resonates not just in Wales, but around the world. As developments unfold, supporters and advocates remain committed to ensuring that no family endures the pain of separation and loss without the support they deserve.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
