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Dear President-elect Donald Trump,
My name is Ofri Vivas Levi. You may not know me personally, but you may have heard about my brother Yarden Vivas, his wife Shiri, and their two red-headed children Ariel and Kfir, who have captured the hearts of people around the world. You've probably seen it before. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a photo of a young Ariel holding a drawing of Batman with the words: “I fly and save people who are stuck in a hole.” Just like he and many others are still locked up.
Until these children and their parents were taken from us over a year ago, they had a normal family life – the busy lives of parents with two young children. There is still hope. Intelligence services have confirmed that more than half of the 100 hostages still being held are alive, but time is quickly running out. My family is still among those who can be saved, but only if we act now.
Vivas family, from left: Yarden, Ariel, Ciri, Kfir (Ofri Vivas Levi)
On October 7, 2023, they were violently torn from their daily lives. Father Yarden makes the heartbreaking choice to leave his family to protect them, but despite his efforts, his young sons Ariel and Kfir are kidnapped along with their mother Ciri. Footage of the abduction, showing frightened children in their mothers' arms, has become a haunting symbol of Hamas' brutality. Two months later, Hamas's brutality reaches new depths, with psychological warfare showing Hamas torturing Yarden in captivity and brutally telling him that his wife and children are dead, in an attempt to break Hamas's spirit. A video was released.
Recently, the world celebrated International Day of the Rights of the Child, a commemoration first started 168 years ago by Rev. Charles Leonard of the Universalist Church in Chelsea, Massachusetts. On this important day, the United Nations adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. This is a powerful treaty that prioritizes the welfare of children above all other considerations. This declaration requires all of us to protect children from torture, exploitation, abuse and neglect.
Kfir Bibas (left) and Ofri Bibas Levi (right) smile together under a tree.
Where is this obsession with young children? Our shy and cheerful little Ariel is forced to spend his fifth birthday in Hamas tunnels, under the watchful eye of murderous terrorists, far from the family and friends who love him. For more than a year, we have suffered not knowing what conditions he and his younger brother Kfir are enduring. Kfir, who was kidnapped when he was nine months old, has already spent his first birthday in captivity and will soon be in the hands of terrorists in January if we don't act fast enough. He will be celebrating his birthday. Time is of the essence. We know that many hostages are still alive, but their condition is worsening by the day. These innocent men, women and children are fighting for survival under horrific conditions, making any momentary delay not only painful, but inexcusable.
Kfir Vivas, 9 months old. (Courtesy: Take it home now)
Mr. Trump, I am making a desperate plea to you. Help us where we have all failed. Use your unique, uncompromising creative approach to bring Kfir, Ariel, Ciri and Yarden back to us. Bringing back all 100 hostages from Gaza is not only morally and ethically right, but also our human duty.
After months of agonizing, an agreement was finally reached. We must seize this opportunity to ensure that all hostages held by Hamas – men, women, elderly and children – are released and reunited with their families. Time is of the essence in moving forward with this agreement, and the return of the hostages is a prerequisite for stability in the Middle East. There will be no peace until we bring them home. The living, who make up more than half of those taken, will be rehabilitated and the dead will receive proper burial.
We appreciate the efforts of the U.S. government and others over the past year. And we ask, President-elect Trump, to lend us your voice and help so that Kfir and Ariel can celebrate their next birthday at home with us and their friends. . It is their right and our duty. Many more precious lives can still be saved.
