June 1st, 2026 – March of Life held its annual March of the Nations 2026 week in Israel. During the welcome event at Gerar Behar theater in Jerusalem, a special panel discussion was hosted by Heinz Reuss, International Director of March of Life, featuring three remarkable guests whose stories reflect both the tragedy of the past and the resilience of the present.

Irene Shashar is an 88-year-old Holocaust survivor born in Warsaw, Poland. During the Holocaust, she and her mother escaped the Warsaw Ghetto through the sewers and survived the remainder of the war in hiding on the Christian side of the city. After losing her mother, Irene was adopted by relatives before immigrating to Israel at the age of 25.

She went on to become the youngest faculty member at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where she taught for more than 40 years. Today, she continues to share her story around the world, including speaking engagements at the United Nations and the European Parliament. An educator, author, and advocate against antisemitism, Irene is known for her resilience and unwavering spirit. She often summarizes her victory over the Nazis with the words: “Hitler did not win. I am alive in Israel, talking to the world.”

https://www.cfhu.org/…/on-holocaust-remembrance-day-hu…

Louis Har is a former Hamas hostage who was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak together with members of his family during the October 7 attacks. He was held captive in Gaza for 129 days before being rescued in a daring IDF military operation.

https://www.idf.il/…/testimony-of-former-hostage-129…

Guy Gilboa-Dalal was abducted from the Nova Music Festival on October 7, together with his childhood friend, Evyatar David. After surviving 738 days in Hamas captivity, he was eventually released and has since shared his testimony publicly.

https://www.israelhayom.com/…/guy-gilboa-dalal-reveals…

During the panel discussion, Irene Shashar was asked about the differences between her survival during the Holocaust and the experiences of those held captive by Hamas.

She replied that, aside from the fact that her ordeal took place more than 80 years ago, there was one profound difference. The hostages held by Hamas could hold onto the hope that the State of Israel and the IDF would do everything possible to rescue them. During the Holocaust, there was no State of Israel, no IDF, and no realistic hope that a force would come to save the Jewish people from destruction. The very idea of a Jewish state capable of defending and rescuing its people did not yet exist.

Later during the panel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal addressed the audience, saying: “First and foremost, it is important for me to express my gratitude and say thank you to everyone sitting here, and to everyone who took part in organizing, helping my family, and supporting us during these terrible two years. Thank you to everyone who prayed for me and for my return home. Your prayers are what brought me back home.”

Another moving moment came when Louis Har, who had returned from Hamas captivity after being rescued in a military operation, joined members of the German delegation on stage for a dance. The delegation included descendants of Nazi officers and collaborators from the Holocaust era, creating a powerful image of healing, reconciliation, and the triumph of life over hatred.

Jobst Bittner is the founder and president of the March of Life movement.

https://www.pressreader.com/…/20260602/281805700598977