Israeli hostage Bar Kupershtein marked his 23rd birthday on Tuesday, his second birthday spent in Hamas captivity. Hundreds gathered at a rally in the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv to mark the day.
Kupershtein, one of the 24 living hostages thought to remain in Gaza, was kidnapped while working as a security guard at the Nova festival near Kibbutz Re’im on the morning of October 7.
Bar’s mother, Julie, said on stage: “Bar, my beloved, 23 years ago you made me a mother, and 23 years after that day, I am still standing here without you, marking your birthday. My beloved Bar, we were so happy to receive a sign of life from you, you are alive and, God willing, you will return to us alive. I know you are strong, I know you well. I am praying for a miracle, for the release of all the hostages.”
Earlier, Tal, the father of Bar, addressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a special video, urging him to dedicate his efforts to freeing the hostages.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu, my name is Tal Kupershtein, the father of the kidnapped Bar Kupershtein,” said the father, who, due to his medical condition, struggles to speak. In most of the video, his sister Ora spoke on his behalf. “Today is Bar’s 23rd birthday, his second birthday in Hamas captivity. For over 540 days, Bar has been far from us. We are anxious, in pain, and heartbroken. We, like many families, feel that we have been pushed out of your and your government’s priorities,” he said.
“Please, cut your planned trip short,” he continued. “The hostages need a prime minister who is fully focused on the duty of bringing them home. They don’t have the time or ability to wait even one more day. How can we mark Bar’s birthday when we know he is currently in real danger? And that with every passing moment, the risk grows that we may never see him again? Every minute, every hour, and every day are critical.”
“Bar worked at the Nova party in Re’im. When the attack began, he stayed behind and helped save lives. He fought until the moment of his kidnapping to save as many people as possible. Does he not deserve to be fought for now with all our strength? We are reaching out to you from the bottom of our hearts, do not let Bar’s 23rd birthday be his last. Shorten your trip and focus all your resources and abilities on reaching an agreement that will bring our Bar and the 58 other hostages home,” he said.
The father and aunt concluded with a message to Bar: “If you see us, we are with you. We are proud of you. And we love you. You are not alone. Your next birthday you will celebrate here with us.”
This article was translated from Hebrew by Marina Levy.
