Artistic displays in honor of the hostages in Gaza were placed at the entrance to the towns of the Central Arava Regional Council in southern Israel this week for the "Come Home" community project.
The purpose of the exhibit was to express feelings of pain and solidarity with the families of the hostages and victims of the October 7 events. Furthermore, the displays raised awareness of the dire situation of the hostages who are in their seventh month of captivity in the hands of Hamas in Gaza.
One of the seven displays in the exhibit, called "And You Shall Love," was made by artists from Kibbutz Yiron, and placed at the entrance of Sappir, a town at the Gaza border. The artists of the sculptures said that they express the strength and optimism currently needed.
Two displays
The design, a giant heart with two doves above it, symbolizes hope for freedom, peace, and better days. Alongside the sculpture, a sign was placed with the inscription "And you shall love," from the verse "Love thy neighbor as thyself" (Leviticus 19:18), conveying a powerful message of love, acceptance, and compassion.
Another work, titled "To Return Home," is an iron sculpture at the entrance to Tzofar, designed by members of the town. It was cast in the town's iron workshop. The work depicts a house with a red roof, which symbolizes the events of the "Red South," the red alert, the color of blood, and also the color of life.
A yellow ribbon was attached to the sculpture, which expresses support for the return of the hostages. Around the house, multiple iron figures were placed - two of which had orange hair signifying solidarity with the Bibas family - expressing the longing to return home, to the family's embrace, and normal life.