On the 600th day since Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack, a solemn gathering in Jerusalem brought together hostage families, Knesset members, and Christian supporters from across the world for prayer and reflection. As reported by Gabriel Colodro [1] of The Media Line, the event—held inside the Israeli Knesset—was part of the annual Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, but this year, the tone was more urgent, more intimate.
Ruby Chen, whose son Itay was kidnapped from his tank on the Gaza border, told the audience, “I’m standing here as a father,” explaining why his family has never held a shiva. “We still have hope that he could come back.” His words reflected the painful mix of faith and waiting shared by families of the 58 hostages still held in Gaza.
Give the gift of hope
We practice what we preach:
accurate, fearless journalism. But we can't do it alone.
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
- On the ground in Gaza, Syria, Israel, Egypt, Pakistan, and more
- Our program trained more than 100 journalists
- Calling out fake news and reporting real facts
Join us.
Support The Media Line. Save democracy.
Speakers from across Israel’s political spectrum, including MKs Matan Kahana, Moshe Turpaz, Tatiana Mazarsky, Simon Davidson, and Amir Ohana, used the moment to express moral clarity, national unity, and deep gratitude to Israel’s international supporters. “Six hundred days that we fight for our lives,” Turpaz said. “Every hour could save a life,” Mazarsky added.
Former Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger delivered a moving apology for his country’s historical role in persecuting Jews, calling on other nations to pursue reconciliation. Christian guests, like Dale Ditto of Kentucky, described feeling peace, not fear, in Jerusalem—echoing the spirit of solidarity that infused the gathering.
As former MK Yehudah Glick told Colodro, this alliance of faith and advocacy is no small thing: “These people are not just coming here. They’re going back home and becoming ambassadors.”
To grasp the full emotional force of the day, read Gabriel Colodro’s full report [1].