European Union Ambassador to Israel Dimiter Tzantchev conducted a solidarity visit to Sderot on Tuesday, touring areas damaged during the Hamas Oct. 7 attacks and meeting with local trauma specialists, the European Union said in a statement issued by their deligation to Israel. The ambassador expressed admiration for the community's strength while pledging continued European support for those affected by the conflict.
During his visit, Tzantchev toured the home of George Stevens, a member of the urban kibbutz Dror Israel in Sderot and co-founder of the 4MENA network, which promotes regional tolerance. Stevens' building was attacked on Oct. 7, when Hamas terrorists killed his neighbors. The delegation also visited a memorial erected to honor victims of the war and the Sderot police station, which was a site of intense fighting during the initial attack.
A significant portion of the visit focused on the Sderot Resilience Center operated by the Israeli Trauma Coalition, where the ambassador received briefings about the psychological challenges facing affected communities and treatment approaches being implemented. Talia Levnon, CEO of the Israeli Trauma Coalition, described the importance of the visit, noting that "the Resilience Center in Sderot has grown from 40 therapists to 360 in order to provide a response." She highlighted a unique animal therapy program that offers non-verbal treatment options particularly valuable for children processing trauma.
"One of the important components in building resilience is not to feel alone," Levnon told the EU deligation. "Since October 7, and even before, the European Union has stood in great support of building a response to the population, and this support gives us a lot of strength."
Ambassador Tzantchev emphasized his ongoing commitment to the region, saying "This is not my first visit to the Western Negev, and it probably won't be the last. In every visit, I am amazed by the resilience of the residents of the place."
The EU has provided emergency grants to Resilience Centers and Magen David Adom stations in the Western Negev since the conflict began. Tzantchev expressed solidarity with those affected, stating, "We stand by the victims and the communities that were destroyed. We mourn together with all the people of Israel for the abductees who recently returned in coffins from the hell in Gaza, including the dear Bibas family."
The ambassador called for "the immediate and unconditional release of all the abductees, living and fallen, back to their homes," reaffirming the EU's position on the hostage situation.
The delegation concluded their visit with lunch at "Hummus of Tahini," a restaurant in Sderot that recently reopened after being closed since Oct. 7. The establishment is owned by three members of Kibbutz Kfar Aza, including Shai Segal, whose parents Aviva and Keith Segal were taken hostage during Hamas' deadly attack.
