Our Strength is in Our Unity - Through Love We Will Prevail

Avinatan Or at the Binyamin residents’ welcome ceremony

With flags, dancing, and a convoy of dozens of motorcyclists, thousands of residents of the Binyamin Regional Council held a moving and joyous homecoming celebration for Avinatan Or, the survivor of captivity, awaiting him along the road to his home in Shiloh. Avinatan told the large crowd: “May we continue with this love and unity for many years to come.”*

Hostage survivor Avinatan Or was released today (Tuesday) from Beilinson Hospital and returned home after two years in Hamas captivity, to his community of Shiloh in the Binyamin region.

At the entrance to the Binyamin Regional Council, dozens of motorcyclists carrying Israeli flags welcomed him, formed an impressive convoy of honor on his way back to Shiloh.

The entire Binyamin Regional Council was filled with celebration for Avinatan’s return home, preparing an especially emotional and festive reception. Thousands of Binyamin residents, dressed in blue and white and waving Israeli flags, lined the roundabouts and intersections along his route home.

Deeply moved by the warm welcome, Avinatan stopped at several points along the way, including at the entrance to Shiloh, where the roundabout had been named after him during his captivity, to thank the many people who came to greet him and had prayed for him for two years.

Later, residents formed a human chain from the entrance roundabout to the community’s main synagogue, where the celebrations and dancing with the Or family continued.

An emotional Avinatan Or said to the large crowd that came to welcome him:

“After such a long time in the tunnels of Gaza, I am finally here, with all of Israel. We came home eight days ago, and since then we have been overwhelmed by love from every corner of the nation.

I want to thank the IDF soldiers, the true heroes, thanks to whom we made it home.

For two years I was completely cut off, and now I am slowly hearing stories about the unity and love that filled our people. I pray we can carry this love and unity forward for many years to come, without needing wars to bring it out of us. Our strength is in our unity; only through love will we prevail.”

Yisrael Ganz, Governor of the Binyamin Regional Council and Chairman of the Yesha Council, said at the event:

“Avinatan, how good it is that you are home. All of Binyamin rejoices with you. You proved with your body and your spirit that we cannot be defeated. In Hamas captivity, under impossible conditions, you fought every day to overcome the cruel terrorists. You have now returned to a nation that also never broke, to a community that stood strong, and to a council whose sons fought to bring you home.”

“As a people, we went through a difficult journey, we paid a heavy price, but we did not break. And that is why we will defeat our enemies: because we do not give up, we do not despair, and we never stop believing.”

Ditza Or, Avinatan’s mother, thanked the crowd and said:

“How good it is to be home. ‘For this boy I prayed, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.’ For this boy we all prayed, cried, hoped, and longed, and the Lord has granted our request.

When Avinatan tried to escape, they caught him and tortured him cruelly for a long time, but he remained strong and determined, and here he is, home at last. We wish you, with G-d’s help, to continue to a life of goodness and peace.

I want to thank you, dear residents, and especially Governor Yisrael Ganz, who together with the entire council stood by us throughout this journey.”