An 85-year-old Israeli citizen, Shlomo Mantzur, was killed by Hamas while in captivity in the Gaza Strip during a hostage deal. Mantzur had fled Iraq after surviving the Farhud pogrom in 1941 and later became a co-founder of the kibbutz where he lived.
The Farhud was a brutal attack on Jewish residents in Baghdad in 1941, resulting in the deaths of approximately 180 Jews and injuries to about 1,000 others. Mantzur’s experience echoes the trauma suffered by many Iraqi Jews who had roots dating back over a thousand years in the city.
Mantzur was kidnapped by Hamas terrorists in front of his wife and driven to Gaza in his own car. Despite being scheduled for release as part of a hostage deal, he was found dead on October 7. His family’s pain is immeasurable, and his death serves as a wake-up call to bring home the hostages.
The tragedy highlights the state’s failure to safeguard its citizens, particularly those who have already endured profound trauma. It calls for immediate action to release the remaining hostages and hold Hamas accountable for their torturous crimes.
Shlomo Mantzur’s death is a reminder of the suffering that Jews have faced across the world, and it underscores the need for Israel to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, many of whom fled antisemitism to live in the Jewish land.
Source: https://www.jpost.com/opinion/article-841622