It is Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah) in the State of Israel, and we remember the 6 million victims as well as stories of true heroism both in Israel and around the world. In an almost surreal and unimaginable manner, the 86-year-old Holocaust survivor โ and eldest of over 100 hostages in Gaza โ Mansour, is facing an unbearable reality once again.ย
As a child, Shlomo survived the Farhud event of June 1941 in Iraq, his niece recounted.ย "He saw the abuse by Muslim marauders against his family and neighbors with his own eyes. Incomprehensible horrors. He came to Israel and was convinced that no harm would befall him. Only 15, he arrived at Kibbutz Kisufim in the south and believed that the country was doing everything to protect him. For almost 71 years he lived in Kisufim until Oct. 7, when he experienced those terrible scenes again and was abducted from his home by Hamas terrorists, who beat him and took him in a car to Gaza. It's not clear how, in his twilight years, a man full of zest for life, received the dubious title of the eldest captive in Gaza. How can the world remain silent?" she added.
The Israeli public has sworn to "never forget", collecting testimonials from Holocaust survivors and their families, remembering unbelievable stories of heroism โ as well as stories depicting the cruel reality of an indifferent society that denunciates its Jews.
This year, undoubtedly, there is a heavy burden among the Israeli and Jewish public. Over 200 days have passed since the murderous surprise attack by the terrorist organization Hamas on Oct. 7. The horrific acts and the extent of pain and destruction, have led to the events' characterization as another Jewish Holocaust.
The similarities between the Holocaust and the events of Oct 7. are uncanny. As we watch the volatile anti-Israel protests across the US and the global surge in antisemitism,ย remembering the Holocaust โ its victims and survivors alike โ is more crucial than ever. This year, as we commemorate Shlomo's story of survival โ we must also ensure that we never forget his current struggle to survive in captivity.
