Minister Urges U.N. to Provide Matzos, Wine for Seder to Gaza Hostages

By Aryeh Stern

Yerushalayim Affairs Minister Rabbi Meir Porush has reached out to Tor Wennesland, the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, with a pressing request for Pesach. He is urging the U.N, to ensure that hostages in Gaza have access to matzah and wine to for the Seder night and for Pesach.

In his letter, Rabbi Porush expressed concern that “133 of our brothers and sisters” are currently being held captive by Hamas, following an attack on Simchas Torah, Oct. 7, 2023. He highlighted the plight of these individuals who are unable to celebrate Pesach, and especially the Seder night together with their families.

He emphasized the urgency of the situation if the hostages are not returned by Pesach, stating, “We strongly demand that you work to bring [them] matzah and wine… so that they will be able to celebrate the holiday, even symbolically.” He argued that providing these symbolic items is not only a gesture of support, but “a basic humanitarian requirement” that could help uplift the hostages’ spirits and sustain them until their hoped-for release.