Flash Borehamwood vigil for those kidnapped by Hamas terrorists

Tiny baby shoes nestled next to scores of boots and trainers were laid out as a poignant visual tribute to the 229 men, women and children kidnapped by Hamas terrorists at a flash vigil in Borehamwood on Friday.

Around 80 people gathered in Borehamwood Boulevard, each bringing with them a pair of shoes to lay down next to posters of the missing individuals, who have been held in Gaza for the last 23 days.

Organiser Eddie Hammerman, from Borehamwood, said the peaceful demonstration was a “powerful” way to highlight the plight of the hostages.

He said: “A number of us wanted to do something as meaningful as possible to raise awareness to the wider world of what’s going on and the hostages that have been taken – and we saw a way to showcase that in the most visual and powerful way possible.

“It’s our duty to keep [the hostages] front of mind, because the war in Israel and Gaza at the moment is a direct response to the massacre of October 7. We shouldn’t forget that and we shouldn’t allow the world to forget that.”

Pointing to the smallest of shoes on display, he said that he hoped the display would help people connect to the stories behind the missing individuals, who range in age from just 3 months old to 85.

“We see Hamas leaders holding babies in captivity and their parents are beside themselves. I think we can all relate to the horror of your children being taken away and wanting your children back.”

Participant Nivi Feldman, who was born in Jerusalem and now lives in Borehamwood, described the situation as “heart-breaking and sad”.

She revealed that during a visit to Israel over the summer, her children had attended a summer camp in Kfar Sabba and become friendly with a young boy, Ohad Munder-Zichri, who is among the kidnapped.

He was taken with his mother, Keren Munder and grandparents Avraham and Ruti Munder from Kibbutz Nir Oz, close to the border with Gaza, on October 7. His uncle was tragically killed in the attack.

The youngster marked his ninth birthday on October 23 while held captive.

To mark the day, the football fan’s favourite Israeli soccer team and other prominent Israeli athletes recorded birthday greetings and wishes for his safe return, while yellow balloons were released across his hometown.

Nivi said: “There were mums taken away from their babies. There were kids taken while they were on the phone with their mums. They were taken while they were in their homes. There were people taken from a festival where they went just to celebrate love and peace and be together.

“My children were in a summer camp in Kfar Sabba with Ohad. He went over the Succot weekend to spend the holiday with his mum and grandparents. He was taken from there and we don’t know how he is. He wears glasses and we don’t know if he has them.

“We don’t know anything. We are just begging the world, telling everyone we need to bring them home now.”

The organisers said they intend to hold a flash vigil every week until the hostages are returned.