Gulf Breeze church hosts ‘Israel, You Are Not Alone’ event; hostage’s family member shares her story

Alexa Daly
·2 min read
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GULF BREEZE, Fla. (WKRG) — Police were present outside of Highpoint Church in Gulf Breeze Tuesday night as members of the community came together for a night of solidarity.

People filled the church for the “Israel, You Are Not Alone” event to learn and listen as Effi Yahalomi shared her story.

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Her brother Ohad is currently being held hostage.

“His freedom was taken from him, stolen from him, and it breaks my heart,” Yahalomi said.

He was taken from his home on Oct. 7.

“When terrorists came into their home, they threw a grenade, and they shot Ohad in his leg and in his hand,” Yahalomi said. “He fell wounded on the floor.”

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Ohad’s son was also held hostage. After 52 days, the child was released.

“For the first 16 days, he was held alone in a closed room,” Yahalomi said. “No one talked to him. He was forced to watch those terrifying videos, and he wasn’t allowed to cry. If he was crying, he had a gun pointed at him.”

Every day, Effi hopes for her brother to return home.

“There is no reason for anyone to be held like this,” Yahalomi said.

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Church leaders and attendees hope Tuesday’s event will bring awareness to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“Ultimately, the goal is to see all the hostages return, but it’s also to send a message not only to our community and our region but throughout America that antisemitism and the things that we’re seeing on the news, they’re not acceptable,” Highpoint Church Pastor Shawn York said. “The Jewish people have rights and together we’re better united than we are divided.”

“Call your state representative,” Effi’s friend Nir Megnazi said. “Call your congress representatives. Tell them you want the hostages released. They’re being held by terrorists.”

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