I’ve never shared this before.
A day or two after October 7th, early in the morning, the country was in shock.
Even before the funeral of Mapal Adam z”l, who was murdered at the Nova festival, I went to the home of her sister, Maayan.
Her mother, her brother Yarden, Maayan, and Maayan’s partner Yuval were there.
We sat in the small yard and talked.
Then Roee, Mapal’s boyfriend, arrived and sat down to tell the family for the first time what had actually happened and how Mapal had died.
I stood up to leave such an intimate moment, but the family said to me, “Stay.”
And then, for about an hour, Roee described in a trembling voice, detail by detail,
How he and Mapal hid under a car, and Hili Solomon, Mapal’s best friend, under another car nearby, all surrounded by dozens, perhaps hundreds, of terrorists.
How they stayed silent, pretending to be dead.
How the vile terrorists came and shot them “confirmation shots” at point-blank range.
How the blood flowed from their bodies, and Mapal’s life drained out of her there, as they lay pressed together.
How the monsters came back a second time and shot again, as gasoline from the car leaked and mixed with the blood.
How Roee smeared himself, and I think also Mapal, with blood so they would appear dead.
How for endless hours no one came.
I felt as though I was hearing the testimony of a Holocaust survivor, minutes after being liberated from Auschwitz.
Because that’s what it was. A small Holocaust.
No state. No army.
Jews hiding for hours from murderous beasts.
We all felt that Roee carried crushing guilt for not being able to save the love of his life, Mapal, nor her friend Hili.
Of course, Roee could not have done anything more than he did. He bore no blame whatsoever.
Mapal’s family told him that clearly and embraced him with immense love and compassion.
Since then, as I understand, Roee devoted himself to helping others however he could.
But in the early hours of this morning, two years later, Roee’s strength finally gave out,
and this man, with his wounded soul, took his own life.
Another soul murdered on that cursed day.
**
In the coming days, hopefully already tomorrow, we will celebrate the return of the hostages.
But we must not forget the murdered,
the fallen soldiers and their families,
nor the survivors who struggle every day with the horrors in their minds.
Nor the thousands wounded in body and spirit.
They live among us, and it is our duty to care for them.
This is a matter of national priority.
It is urgent!
The day after we form the government, an authority will be established to care for the victims and their families.
a moral, national, governmental obligation.
May the soul of Roee be bound in the bond of life, alongside the love of his life, Mapal.
With no Premier League or Championship games on SATURDAY are you joining us for our @NCEL league game vs @ThackleyAFC ?
Sat 6th September @YoungGuns_FC Arena:
KO 3pm
Adult Only £8
Concessions £6
U16s FREE
Quality football together with fantastic hospitality.
#LUFC#YCFC
🏆 LADIES LEAGUE CUP DRAW 🏆
Our Ladies 1st team have been drawn against Leeds Modernians Development in the 1st round of the League Cup.
The tie will take place at The Young Guns Arena on Sunday 5th October.
⚽️ Tonights Ladies Result
Another great run out for the ladies in the sweltering heat!
A big thanks to Headingley for coming over.
Thanks to the volunteers at Tadcaster and for everyone who came out to support 👏
🆚 MATCH PREVIEW |
Our provisional squad for tonight’s game against Headingley Utd (H) has been released.
Join us for a 19.00 kick off at The Young Guns Arena.
The bar is open 🍷
Thank you for your support
#ATAW
Get Ready for a Thrilling Season with Tadcaster Albion!
The wait is over! Tadcaster Albion kicks off the new Northern Counties East League season tomorrow at 3:00 pm against Beverley Town at the Young Guns Arena.
Another season is over and we are looking forward to the next one. We have said goodbye to some familiar faces and will soon welcome new ones to our club. That's the nature of football. Here's why we love non league football and @TadcasterAlbion 💛
Join us this SATURDAY for our final @NCEL league game of the season against promotion chasing @bevtownfc.
April 5th
KO 3pm @YoungGuns_FC Arena
See real and exciting football, whilst also enjoying some fantastic hospitality.
Sponsored by @FogalandBarnes#LUFC#YCFC#HCFC
Our first LIVE streaming of a home NCEL league game will be on Saturday April 5th for our match against promotion chasing @bevtownfc (overseas users only)
To book your ticket for this historic game
please see TaddyTV.
@BBCSport@BBCWorld@itvnews
https://t.co/VlLAbxBjI7…
Would you like to have a say in running a football club & making a difference to the lives of young people in our community?
This crowdfunder is an investment in our club, our town & in our community:
Making a difference together
#LUFC#MUFC#LFC
https://t.co/kT7zqbFzeu
Would you like to be part of football history?
The first LIVE streaming of a NCEL league game will be on April 5th for our match against promotion chasing Beverley Town.
To book your ticket for this historic game, see TaddyTV
Overseas only
https://t.co/einb9Kw5yC
#LUFC
#NCEL MATCH REVIEW
A look back at the weekend's NCEL Premier Division and Division One action, including @TadcasterAlbion's 2-2 home draw with @AlbionSportsAFC on Friday night.
📸 Keith Handley
Match Review ⤵️
https://t.co/F1jxO5AvLN