For Inbal Zach, Brazil should use its diplomatic influence to pressure Egypt, Turkey and Qatar to stop supporting extremist groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah and allow the war to end
October 7, 2023 changed the life of 39-year-old Israeli photographer Inbal Zach. A resident of Tel Aviv, she woke up at 6:25 am to the siren announcing the arrival of rockets. I had 1 minute and 30 seconds to find a bunker.
Once the scare was over, she realized the scale of what was happening. Hamas had invaded Israel and was killing and kidnapping people, not just Israelis – 4 Brazilians were murdered that day.
His family lived in kibbutz Be’eri, 2 km from the Gaza Strip, where the highest number of deaths in a single village was recorded: 102 of the 1,200 murdered by extremists.
Of these, 3 were from his family. And 7 others were kidnapped and taken to Gaza, including two children: Naveh Shoham, 8, and Yahel Gani Shohan, 3.
She says that when she got home, she tried to call them, without success. He sent a message to his cousin, Tal Shoham, 39, and received a reply that they were hiding in the house’s bunker. They could not speak because members of Hamas were in the house.
“They first fired anti-tank missiles and then used a tractor to break through the walls and reach the bunker. When they were about to set the air intakes on fire, Tal went out and gave himself up. He asked that the family, especially the children, be spared. But it was ignored. All 7 were dragged to Gaza“, he said.
In the agreement reached between Hamas and Israel in November, 6 of their family members, including children, returned to Israel. But your cousin is still there today.
Inbal came to Brazil for a series of meetings to mark the anniversary of the attack. In conversation with the Power360criticized the government’s stance on Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT), broadly critical of Israel and subtle in its dealings with Hamas and its financier, Iran.
Brazil even presented a ceasefire proposal to the UN, which had an “appeal” for the release of the hostages, but it was not a condition. It ended up vetoed by the United States.
For Inbal, the government needs to wake up to the nature of these groups. And use your diplomatic potential to help build a ceasefire by putting pressure on countries that support Hamas.
“The government needs to wake up. Hezbollah already operates in Brazil and targets Brazilians. They should pressure Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar to release the hostages in a comprehensive ceasefire agreement“, he said.
In September, Brazilian Lucas Passos Lima was sentenced to 16 years for being recruited by Hezbollah to carry out attacks against the Jewish community in the Federal District.
Ceasefire
Inbal advocates a ceasefire with the immediate return of the 101 hostages still held by Hamas.
“This is the most important thing now. We want our families back and there is no higher priority than that“, he said.
Next, he advocates that there be agreements to establish peace and coexistence between peoples.
Inbal participated in an event at the Chamber of Deputies this Tuesday (8.Oct.2024). He thanked the support of Brazilians and deputies and senators who came to the meeting.
Israel’s ambassador, Daniel Zonshine, said he hopes the Brazilian government is doing what it can to help free the hostages.
“I hope, together with the support of the Chamber and the Brazilian government, we can help to release the hostages as quickly as possible, and they will join their families. Every government does what it can do, and we are hoping that the Brazilian government is doing what it can to help release the hostages and bring peace to our area“, he said.
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