Mengistu's parents at the rally
Photo: Yuval Chen
Hundreds attend support rally for Mengistu in Tel Aviv
Family of Israeli citizen believed to be held by Hamas organize support rally to mark three years since he went missing in Gaza; his brothers call for his return: 'Look how many people came here to remind everyone that you are alive, and that you need to be returned home.'
Several hundreds of people took part in a rally at Tel Aviv's HaBima Square Sunday evening in support of the family of Abera Mengistu to mark three years since he went missing in the Gaza Strip.
Participants called on the Israeli government to return Mengistu back home. He is believed to be held captive by the Hamas terror organization.
"It's been three years and we've received no sign of life, three years in which we've been without a shred of information," the Mengistu family said.
Rally for Mengistu in Tel Aviv (Photo: Yuval Chen)
"Abera, we remember how, when this struggle to bring you back home first began, we were only a handful of people fighting to have you here with us. Today, look at what has happened, look how many people came here to remind everyone that you are alive, and that you need to be returned home.
"Abera, you are not alone. We're no longer alone. We want this all to be over, for us not to have to stand here, hold this megaphone... We want the public to come here next time to celebrate your return... Abera, we'll keep being here, keep shouting, keep reminding and fighting until you are here, until you return."
Mengistu's parents at the rally (Photo: Yuval Chen)
Mengistu's parents met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres last week during his visit to Israel and demanded to receive information about their son's fate, but still to no avail.
"My son has been in Gaza for three years. I don't understand why Hamas won't release Abera," his father told the crowd at the rally. "He went into Gaza without a weapon, without a knife. He crossed without realizing it because he was feeling unwell."
Abera Mengistu
He went on to lament the family's situation, saying "To anyone in this blessed country we wish to never have to face the situation we're in. Day turns into night, and night never ends. We can only see darkness and can't see the light at the end of the tunnel."
Mengistu's mother also said she did not understand Hamas's motives. "Why is their heart made of stone? Why won't they tell us if he's alive or dead? Why are they keeping my son? What good would he be them?"
