The banquet at the Italian embassy in Israel on the occasion of Republic Day – Archive
Every year, on 2 June – on the occasion of Republic Day – the Italian Embassy in Tel Aviv usually organizes a public party dedicated to Italian culture and music: sometimes the concerts take place in cultural centres, in music halls or even in beach. This year, however, it was celebrated in Kikar has Chatufim – the Hostages Square – after the now 240 days of war between Israel and Hamas. But instead of celebrating, the Embassy chose to celebrate the anniversary with a moment of reflection and silence. However, they did not give up on offering a gesture of solidarity towards the hostages’ families, for which pizza was cooked and served, an unmistakable trademark of Made in Italy but also a symbol of sharing and brotherhood.
Present at the convivial moment, together with the families of the 125 Israelis kidnapped in Gaza – of 37 of whom the death was confirmed – Ambassador Sergio Barbanti, together with all the embassy staff. Barbanti took the opportunity to recall the constant commitment, in these eight months, on the part of the embassy and Italy, which have done everything possible, on a diplomatic level, to try to facilitate negotiations and bring back all the hostages At home. The hope for next June 2nd is to be able to celebrate again together with all the Israeli citizens who have finally returned to their homes.
While the negotiations continue to proceed with difficulty, and the hope on the part of the families only weakens day by day, a new project, to keep awareness and solidarity alive among the families of the hostages and all those close to them, is now available in paper and online: a recipe book of typical Israeli dishes which, through the words of the parents or children of the kidnapped, tells the favorite dish – and the recipe – of their loved ones, still in the Strip.
Even food therefore becomes an opportunity for solidarity with the hostages and their families. In fact, on the occasion of the Jewish holiday of Shavuot which will be held next week – and which commemorates the reception of the Torah on Mount Sinai – it is tradition in Israel to eat only products halavi, or based on dairy products. Within this tradition, the Forum of the families of the hostages has published the recipe book “Shavuot of Longing”: a special collection that includes 180 pages and 75 recipes and shares the personal stories of the captives, with the aim of increasing awareness and support for their return. There are more and more Israeli influencers who, now every day, publish a different recipe on their social networks – together with the story of the person telling it – so that the international community does not forget those who are still prisoners in the Enclave.
The volume was created in collaboration with Be’eri Print – the printing house of one of the kibbutzim most dramatically affected during the October 7 massacre – and all proceeds will go to support the Forum.
