A warm and moving welcome was given today (Tuesday) to captivity survivor Avinatan Or, who returned after two years to the Shiloh settlement in the Binyamin Regional Council.
Upon his return, hundreds of residents awaited him along the road, at intersections and in squares, carrying Israeli flags, singing and dancing with joy and excitement.
On his way home in Shiloh, captivity survivor Avinatan Or stopped by for a reception with his family and brother who lives in Leshem, Samaria.
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Hundreds of Samaria residents, including students from the Amit Yeshiva in Baruchin, gathered with Israeli flags, singing and dancing to welcome him.
When Avinan got out of the vehicle, Samaria Council Chairman Yossi Dagan greeted him: "We are excited to see you in Samaria, a free Jew with your head held high. We salute you, Avinan, our brother, the hero. We salute the entire Or family of heroes who raised the spirit of the people of Israel throughout all these days. We will win together. The people of Israel are alive!""
Avinatan was moved and told the hundreds who came to greet him: "I want to thank you all for all the support. I hear this week from my entire family how everyone from the people of Israel has helped and supported me, and I thank you. Our strength is our togetherness and unity, and I hope we continue to do so. No one can defeat us when we are together!""
After the visit to Belshem, the convoy traveled to the settlement of Shiloh. Hundreds of people in blue and white waited on the side of the road, waving signs and flags. At the gate of the settlement of Shiloh, a human chain was formed - made up of residents, students and children - that stretched from the entrance square named after Avinan to the central synagogue.
Moshe Or, Avinatan's brother and his wife Yael, thanked the residents of Leshem for their assistance during the difficult period they went through and the hundreds who came to welcome him - and wrote: "Our dear friends, two years ago we received a painful blow and entered a long and difficult war. Amidst the national event, we dealt with our own private event when Avinatan was kidnapped to Gaza.
""For two whole years, when everyone was facing many difficulties, you did not stop standing by our side as a community, asking, offering help, supporting in so many ways and, most importantly, reminding us that we are not alone in this difficult struggle. To our great joy, Avinatan returned home, to the family that was waiting for him and to the people who did not stop praying and hoping.".
""We want to thank each and every one of you for your support, your prayers, and your hope that he will return to us. We felt every moment how much you, along with the entire nation, are standing behind us and helping us get through this period. Thank you for coming to receive him at the hospital and for rejoicing with us, that we may continue to be together for each other and only in joy!""
