Various global Jewish organizations are helping to make the hostage crisis more widely known. Among these is the Jewish National Fund, which has organized for the articulate former hostage Eli Sharabi to go to Australia in September to tell his story in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
Sharabi, who has written a memoir about his 491-day ordeal while in Hamas captivity, has previously told his story at the United Nations.
He used to live on Kibbutz Be’eri, where Hamas slaughtered his British-born wife and their two daughters. While in captivity, he dreamed of being reunited with his family; it was only after his release that he learned that he no longer had a family.
His brother Yossi, who had also been abducted by Hamas, was among the captives murdered in cold blood. When released after spending long days in hell, Sharabi had lost 30 kg. and weighed only 44kg.
His resilience is amazing: only a month and a half after his release, he was already telling his story of how he and other captives suffered a tortured existence at the hands of Hamas.
Sharabi is going to Australia for the opening of the annual JNF Australia fundraising campaign, proceeds from which will be directed towards the following rehabilitation projects:
• Water Reservoir Restoration at Kibbutz Nahal Oz – restoring critical agricultural infrastructure destroyed on October 7.
• Kibbutz Be’eri Outdoor Educational Space – building a central hub for play, learning, and healing, offering children and families a sense of normalcy.
The campaign is being conducted under the slogan “Together we rise with Israel.”
In Sydney and Melbourne, Sharabi will be interviewed by prize-winning Israeli television personality and British-born journalist Nadav Eyal, who is also flying to Australia for the campaign launch.
“It’s an honor to be part of this moment with Eli Sharabi and the Australian Jewish community,” Eyal said in an interview with The Australian Jewish News.
“Eli is not just a survivor. He is a symbol of Israel’s unbreakable spirit. This will be more than just an interview – it will be a deeply personal account of his time in captivity and his vision for a stronger and thriving Israel.”
Sharabi’s story of enduring hope and extraordinary will to rebuild himself and Israel, serves as a testament to human endurance and the deep desire to see the reflourishing of Israel. This will be the message that Eyal intends to impart by introducing audiences to the man behind the headlines.
The campaign is being conducted during a critical upsurge of antisemitism in Australia and around the globe.
■ THERE IS a strong relationship between Israel and Taiwan, but because of pressures from China, it remains on economic, trade, and cultural levels and has not been elevated to full diplomatic status.
This despite the fact that heads of the Tel Aviv-based Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, which opened in March 1993, have, for the most part, been bona fide diplomats with the rank of ambassador.
This applies to current envoy Ya-Ping (Abby) Lee, whose rank is recognized by many Israelis, albeit not by the Foreign Affairs Ministry. Israel has a parallel office in Taipei headed by Maya Yehudit Yaron.
The two countries have parliamentary friendship groups that engage in exchange visits, as well as university exchange programs that enable students from both countries to study in each other’s universities and for the universities to work together on specific projects.
Although the office in Tel Aviv functions more or less as an embassy, the members of the Taiwanese mission live largely in diplomatic isolation.
They are not invited to the national day receptions hosted by ambassadors of other countries, with the exception of the few whose countries do have official diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Also, their own national day receptions, though attended by MKs, are not attended by Israeli government officials.
Until October last year, such events were generally low-key and held in Tel Aviv. But last year, in a bold move, Lee hosted a huge gala reception at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, where she and her colleagues were lauded by Mayor Moshe Lion.
Israeli-Taiwanese relations
Many Israelis believe that the time has come to enter into full diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which has been extremely supportive of Israel since October 2023.
This belief manifested itself last month when 72 MKs from both the coalition and the opposition signed a declaration advocating Taiwan’s inclusion in international organizations such as WHO, ICAO, and UNFCCC.
MK Boaz Toporovsky, who heads the Israel-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, when noting Taiwan’s unwavering support for Israel since October 7, declared that Israel will always remember those who stood by her in her time of need.
MK Ohad Tal emphasized the deep friendship between the two nations and urged greater cooperation, which he said would lead to mutual prosperity.
Lee welcomed the initiative that led to the signing of the declaration and expressed appreciation for Israel’s recognition of Taiwan’s global contributions and support for democracy.
■ JEWS ARE not Christians. They don’t turn the other cheek. When they believe that their religious rights are being violated, they retaliate. So far, that retaliation has been through the use of official channels.
But if the desired results do not eventuate, it could lead to bloodshed at one of the holiest sites for Jews – the Mount of Olives.
That may explain why the desecration of the tombs of the prophets Haggai and Malachi on the Mount of Olives – which for centuries has been the burial place of great Jewish sages and community and national leaders – has caused so much anguish and concern.
Representatives of Jewish heritage organizations visiting the graves of the prophets were shocked to be denied access and to see Christian symbols there. The tombs had been sealed off, and according to a press release by Jews United – an advocacy umbrella organization for Jewish heritage organizations in Israel and around the world – the graves had also been desecrated.
Jews United has sent an urgent letter to Religious Affairs Minister Rabbi Michael Malchieli, demanding immediate state action to restore the Jewish character of the tombs, traditionally recognized as the burial site of the prophets Haggai and Malachi.
“Our right to pray at our ancestors’ graves does not disrespect any religion – but there is a clear line between respect for others and erasing our own identity,” the letter states.
According to the letter and attached documentation, access to the site has been blocked by the Russian Orthodox Church, which claims ownership of the land above the tomb. In addition, Christian symbols have been erected at the entrance in violation of the site’s historical and religious character.
“Our presence and prayers do not negate anyone else’s dignity,” said Fayga Marks, of Jews United. “But there is a red line: Respect for others cannot mean silencing or erasing ourselves. This cave is part of the eternal Jewish legacy in Jerusalem – and it must remain so.”