A Wider Bridge welcomes with profound relief the news that active hostilities have ceased and that the remaining Israeli hostages have finally returned home. This long-awaited moment brings solace and tears of joy to families who have endured nearly two years of unimaginable fear and heartbreak. The courage of the Israeli people — and the perseverance of those who never stopped demanding the hostages’ release — remind the world of Israel’s unbreakable spirit and moral strength even in the face of horror.
The road to this moment began on October 7, when Hamas terrorists carried out the deadliest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust — massacring families, burning communities, and abducting innocent civilians, including children and the elderly. The trauma of that day continues to reverberate across Israel and the Jewish world, shaping the urgency of this peace.
We also honor the memory of those who were murdered in captivity. Their bodies must be returned to Israel immediately and unconditionally, so that their families may lay them to rest in dignity and peace.
The end of active fighting offers a fragile but vital chance to rebuild lives shattered by violence — for Israelis and for Palestinians alike. Countless innocent civilians have suffered deeply, and their pain must move us toward a future defined not by vengeance, but by rebuilding, healing, and accountability.
For this moment to endure, the agreement must be implemented in full and safeguarded against any return to terror. Israel’s security is non-negotiable, and the international community must ensure that Hamas can never again threaten innocent lives or destabilize the region.
A Wider Bridge believes that lasting peace — one grounded in justice, security, and mutual recognition — will come only through moral clarity, compassion, and the courage to reject extremism.
As we celebrate the return of the hostages and the silencing of weapons, we rededicate ourselves to strengthening Israel’s democratic and inclusive future, deepening understanding between LGBTQ communities in Israel and North America, and supporting those who work each day to turn the dream of peace into reality.
May this moment mark the beginning of renewal, security, and lasting peace for Israel, for the Palestinian people, and for all who long for a safer, more hopeful world.