Kfar Aza survivors seek solace on London trip
IT TAKES David Sharaby and Israel Oved a few moments to count how many of their neighbours were killed on October 7. Three kilometres from Gaza, their Kibbutz Kfar Aza community lost around 80 members of its population during the deadly massacre. Over 60 were murdered by Hamas terrorists and at least 18 were kidnapped into Gaza.
Four of their friends — Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari, and twins Ziv and Gali Berman — are still being held in Gaza by Hamas.
“It doesn’t matter where we are, they’re always on our mind,” says David, 28.
David and Israel are in London with a group of Kfar Aza residents for a holiday; a moment of respite amidst the turbulence of life as refugees learning to live with trauma.
They are on the third trip of five organised by British businesswoman Emily Cohen. Emily, 55, felt an imperative to help Kfar Aza after connecting with the kibbutz on 8 October. The Saatchi Synagogue member was helped by UJIA to raise £250,000, enough to fund trips for 100 younger members of the kibbutz.
This age group was among the worst affected on October 7 as they lived in the part of the kibbutz closest to Gaza.
“We want them to be able to relax, breathe new air and feel the love and support from the Jewish community in the UK,” says Emily.
Whenever he’s not thinking about the hostages, Israel, 38, says he feels bad. David agrees: “I feel guilty all the time.”
Both men’s homes were destroyed during the attack and they have been living out of suitcases, trying to navigate their next steps.
David says he feels like he never stops — both physically and mentally. “I’m in a race every day,” he says.
Living in a hotel room with his wife, their new baby and two dogs was a struggle for Israel, and he has had to rehome the dogs. For many of the October 7 survivors, the initial help that was offered after the trauma has dried up and they are awaiting a government package of support.
David explains how the country is trying to return to “normal society”. But it is a new normal, marked by hostage posters.
Twin hostages Ziv and Gali Berman worked with Israel at a lighting company based on the kibbutz.
Israel says: “The twins are always in my heart.” They haven’t heard anything about Gali and Ziv since day 26 of the war.
Both Israel and David have been following any news about a hostage deal with bated breath, but, Israel says it is devastating that nobody seems to be talking about the male hostages.
“They have family too. They have a mother, who needs them back. They’re young; they’re like brothers to us and they’re just kids. I’m very worried about them.”
As for Doron, the men last saw her in a Hamas propaganda clip; Israel now wears a hoodie with her name on it.
Israel survived October 7 after being holed up for 20 hours with his wife, their four-month-old daughter and two dogs. He recalls the ordeal. “There were 40 terrorists on the other side of the wall from where I was sitting with my baby. My wife wanted me to cover the baby’s mouth so she didn’t cry, but I didn’t. Everything I did was to protect my baby. I was worried she would choke if I covered her mouth.”
Somehow, the baby and the two dogs were silent. “It was some kind of miracle,” and the family made it out. “Everybody thought we were dead,” Israel says. “They couldn’t believe we survived.”
They feel bad if they aren’t thinking about the hostages