Sharanskys Meet With Hostage Families

Former Prisoner of Zion Natan Sharansky visited the families of 19-year-old Eyal Yifrah and 16-year-old Gil-Ad Shaer two of the three Israeli teens kidnapped by terrorists on Thursday evening and currently held.

Meeting with Iris and Uri Yifrah and Bat-Galim and Ofir Shaer at their homes, Sharansky and his wife, Avital, shared their experiences from Natan's nine years in Soviet captivity. Sharansky's 1989 autobiography Fear No Evil recounts those experiences, in particular the inspiration he drew from Zionism and his dream of building a life in the Land of Israel. 

Natan Sharansky said: "When I was in prison, in full isolation, I felt strong because I knew that world Jewry was standing strong with me. I am certain that Eyal, Gil-Ad, and Naftali are feeling the same powerful support of world Jewry today."

Sharansky also told the families that Jewish communities around the world have held in support of the hostages and their families. "World Jewry is coming together to support you and your sons at this difficult time," he said.

Both Iris and Uri Yifrah and Bat-Galim and Ofir Shaer told the Sharanskys that they feel the support and solidarity of the Jewish people very strongly and that it is a privilege to see that the families and their terrible predicament have served as a rallying point around which the Jewish people has come together.