Hendon and Brighton communities gather on hostage Ariel Bibas’ fifth birthday

Jewish community members and allies came together at Sunny Hill Park in Hendon and Palmeira Square in Hove on Monday to mark the 5th birthday of hostage Ariel Bibas, who has now been in Hamas captivity with his one-year-old brother Kfir and parents Yarden and Shiri for nearly ten months.

Children and adults alike participated in the events, which were both a celebration of Ariel’s birthday and a solemn reminder of the Bibas family’s ongoing captivity.

At the event in Hendon, organised by The Hostages & Missing Familiies Forum UK and Stop the Hate UK, Israeli street artist Benzi Brofman created a live portrait of Ariel with a birthday cake and the number five, while children indulged in Batman-themed activities and cupcakes in honour of Ariel’s favourite superhero. Amid the orange balloons, face painting and arts and crafts, attendees carried ‘Bring Them Home Now’ and ‘Free Bibas’ signs, keeping the plight of the young family front and foremost.

Hendon community members celebrate Ariel Bibas' fifth birthday with Batman-themed cupcakes in honour of his favourite superhero. The Bibas family have been in Hamas captivity for nearly ten months. (Photo: Elliott Franks)[Missing Credit]

Reverend Hayley Ace, speaking on behalf of Stop the Hate UK, emphasised the urgency of remembering Ariel and his family: "It is unthinkable that the world is remaining almost entirely silent on the brutal kidnapping of an entire family," she said. "We will not allow Ariel and his family to be forgotten. We invite all compassionate individuals to join us in calling for their return and raising awareness of their plight."