The appeal of Batman’s creators for the release of the little fan, Ariel Bibas, and all the hostages

Fifty creators of the iconic superhero Batman have signed a petition, calling on the governments of Egypt and Qatar to step up efforts for the release of Yarden and Shiri Bibas, their children, Ariel and Kfir, aged 4 and 1, and of all the Israeli hostages.
The appeal was made in honor of the young Ariel, a big fan of the Dark Knight of Gotham City, who appeared together with the family in a photo, which circulated on social media after their capture, wearing the superhero costume. “As members of the Batman community of writers and artists, we reach out to you regarding the little Batman fan who has been taken hostage by terrorists and detained in Gaza since October 7. – the signatories write – Moved by the numerous stories of Ariel’s affection for the iconic character, who has become a symbol of hope and justice for so many, we implore your governments to exercise all possible influence on Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to release the Bibas family and all the Israeli hostages immediately.”
The petition was sent to the ambassadors of Egypt and Qatar in Washington on April 12. The initiative was promoted by Rafael Medoff, historian and director of the David S. Wyman Institute for Holocaust Studies. “These comic book creators have spent decades developing a hero who fights for the innocent and stands as a beacon of hope for his community. We are trying to channel that spirit through this effort,” Medoff told the Times of Israel.
Among the signatories of the appeal are Mike Carlin, head of animation at DC Comics, DC publisher Paul Levitz and former president of Warner Animation Sander Schwartz. Among the writers, Chip Zdansky and Mark Waid. As cartoonists and illustrators, Mark Bagley, Dan Jurgens, Denys Cowan and Amanda Conner, well-known author of Joker’s girlfriend, Harley Quinn.
At the end of March, for the Jewish holiday of Purim, hundreds of protesters wearing Batman costumes gathered in Central Park, New York, to demand the release of the hostages. “This is a very sad Purim for Jewish people everywhere. – said the organizer of the rally, Omer Lubaton Granot. – Ariel will not dress up in Batman’s costume, as he dreamed. Instead, Jews around the world will do so, to remind everyone that there is a 4-year-old boy, stuck in a dark grave.”