‘’When I was in prison, in full isolation, I felt strong because I knew that world Jewry was standing strong with me. I am certain that Eyal, Gilad, and Naftali are feeling the same powerful support of world Jewry today,’’ said Natan Sharansky, Chairman of the Executive of The Jewish Agency for Israel, as he visited Monday with his wife Avital the families of 19-year-old Eyal Yifrah and 16-year-old Gilad Shaer, two of the three Israeli teens kidnapped by Palestinian terrorists last Thursday.
Meeting with Iris and Uri Yifrah and Bat-Galim and Ofir Shaer at their homes, Natan and Avital shared their experiences from Natan Sharansky’s nine years in Soviet captivity and told the parents about the countless expressions of love and solidarity conveyed by Jewish Agency representatives on behalf of Jews around the world.
‘’In recent days, I have heard from our shlichim (Jewish Agency representatives) about the solidarity rallies, prayer sessions, study evenings, and online campaigns taking place in Jewish communities around the world. World Jewry is coming together to support you and your sons at this difficult time,’’ Sharansky said.
Both Iris and Uri Yifrah and Bat-Galim and Ofir Shaer told Natan and Avital Sharansky that they feel the support and solidarity of the Jewish people very strongly and that it is a privilege to see that the families and their terrible predicament have served as a rallying point around which the Jewish people has come together.