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A teddy bear for each hostage

“A teddy bear for each hostage” is an initiative instigated by EL AL flight attendant Hadar Harik (29). “We believe all the hostages in Gaza are alive, and the idea of a teddy bear waiting for them at home, symbolizes the hope for their release. The project began with me choosing a knitted teddy bear figure, writing knitting instructions for it, and publishing them in various knitting groups on social media. Hundreds of knitters throughout the country contributed to the project, and we ended up with more than 240 teddy bears, all knitted according to the same instructions, but in different colors and styles. It was amazing to see the project develop”, says Harik. She collected all the teddy bears from different points around the country and organized a display of them waiting for the hostages in what

has become known as “Hostage Square” in front of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. “I met the sister of Romy Leshem Gonen, currently a hostage in Gaza, and was happy to hear from her that the project gives her and the families a feeling of optimism”. With the return of some of the hostages, Harik contacted one of the doctors who greet them upon arrival, and managed to deliver the teddy bears to the cars waiting to take them on their way from the helicopter to the hospital. “The project started as my idea”, says Harik, “but the whole thing really took shape thanks to the many knitters who joined the initiative, and together we were able to reach our goal. The teddy bears are a representation of us all, as we wait for the release of all the hostages and their return home”.

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