Public Shows Support for Bibas Family with Orange Solidarity Day

JERUSALEM – In a heartfelt show of solidarity, the public has been urged to wear orange today, Wednesday, January 29, 2025, to honor the Bibas family, whose loved ones remain in captivity after being taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023. Shiri and Yarden Bibas, along with their young sons Ariel, 5, and Kfir, 2, were abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz during the attack, and the family’s supporters are rallying together to raise awareness and keep their story alive.

The campaign encourages people to wear orange clothing, use orange accessories, or tie ribbons or balloons in public spaces such as cars, balconies, or offices. The color orange, inspired by the bright red hair of the Bibas boys, has become a symbol of the family’s plight, with the slogan “The people of Israel haven’t forgotten the Bibas family!” resonating across social media.

While the Bibas family remains hopeful for the safe return of their loved ones, they continue to face uncertainty. Despite the fact that Shiri and the boys were not among the first group of hostages released as part of recent ceasefire negotiations, the family has refused to give up hope. In a recent statement, the Bibas family said, “We hold on to hope and continue waiting for their return. We await clarity regarding their condition.”

The family’s ongoing struggle was compounded by a recent report of a list provided by Hamas, which claimed that eight of the remaining 26 hostages to be freed in the current ceasefire negotiations are dead. The Bibas family expressed caution, stressing that such claims cannot be taken as definitive. “Even a list of names, an announcement by Hamas, or any video is not considered certainty for us,” they said.

Today’s orange solidarity event serves as a reminder that the Bibas family is not forgotten, and that the Israeli people and supporters around the world stand united with them. The campaign aims to show the Bibas family that they are in the thoughts of many, as they continue to wait for any news that might bring their loved ones home.

The Bibas family’s resilience and their refusal to give up on their hope for a reunion reflect the heartache and uncertainty faced by countless families affected by the ongoing conflict. As the public colors the country in orange today, the event is not only a call for solidarity, but a reminder of the humanitarian crisis that continues to unfold. The campaign encourages people to hold on to the hope that, one day, the Bibas family will be reunited.