(Brussels, January 15, 2025) – The European Jewish Congress welcomes the ceasefire agreement enabling the return of the hostages kidnapped and incarcerated in horrendous and brutal conditions in Gaza for more than 450 days.
We look forward anxiously to the return of all the hostages to their families as soon as possible, bringing to an end the terrible suffering they, their families and the Israeli people have endured since October 7.
The Hamas invasion of Israel on October 7, 2023, which began with the murder of some 1.200 Israelis and the brutal kidnapping of hundreds, was the most cataclysmic and violent pogrom perpetrated against Jews since the Shoah. That unprovoked attack has brought about untold suffering, pain and death to both Israelis and Palestinians since that date. Many of those hostages have subsequently been murdered by their captors and will sadly never return home.
The return of hostages and the sanctity of human life are cardinal Jewish values. While we recognise that this agreement for a ceasefire carries with it painful concessions including the release of many hundreds of violent and convicted Palestinian terrorists from Israeli prisons, nothing should ever stand in the way of the return of hostages to their families and the return of Israeli citizens to their homes near the Gaza border in full security.
The right of the Jewish State to defend its citizens is beyond question. This war was forced upon the State of Israel by a murderous and antisemitic terror organisation with the support of its state backers in Iran.
As we hope and pray today that peaceful coexistence can return swiftly to the region, we remember the lives of our brothers and sisters in Israel who have fallen in this war in defence of our homeland or in the brutal captivity of Hamas.
And may the Israeli people be spared any more sorrow.