In a powerful display of solidarity and recognition, Israel Hayom held its second annual awards ceremony marking International Women's Day on Wednesday night, bringing together Hamas captivity survivors and bereaved families with notable women across various sectors of Israeli society – all under the guidance of publisher Dr. Miriam Adelson, who emphasized the critical role of female strength during national crisis.
During the opening of the conference themed "Their Stage," Omer Lachmanovitch, the editor-in-chief of Israel Hayom, emphasized the crucial role of women during the current national crisis: "Especially now we need more than ever the feminine energy of creation and compassion, which is the basic force for change and growth. Especially in moments of uncertainty, we need those women who will help us turn fear into spirit and hope, who will help us fly."
With former hostages Liri Albag and Agam Berger in attendance, he continued: "From this stage I want to strengthen and embrace the captivity survivors who have returned to our embrace – and call for the immediate release of 59 of our brothers who are still in Hamas captivity in Gaza. We send condolences to all the bereaved families of the war casualties and pray for mental and physical healing for the thousands of wounded."
Dr. Miriam Adelson specifically addressed the women recently released from Hamas captivity: "On Saturdays in recent weeks, we have seen true women of valor coming out and returning to life, from the most difficult circumstances imaginable. I am talking about Emily Damari, Doron Steinbrecher, and Romi Gonen, and about Arbel Yehoud, and about Liri Albag, Karina Ariev, Agam Berger, Daniella Gilboa, and Naama Levy."
She praised their resilience: "These Jewish women, these Israeli women, held their heads high with pride when they were released from 500 days in tunnels and locked back rooms in the Gaza Strip. Mostly they also managed to smile bravely in front of hundreds of Hamas terrorists, and in front of crowds of whistling Palestinians – the vast majority men, of course.
"They emerged into the sunlight. They embraced life. This is the secret of Jewish perseverance. This is the secret of Israel," she concluded.
The evening featured recognition awards for women excelling in fields including national resilience, military and security, healthcare, business, sports and culture. Widows of fallen soldiers who continue to serve in security forces shared their personal stories of returning to service despite their profound loss.
During a panel discussion, entrepreneur Yasmin Lukach interviewed her mother, Dr. Miriam Adelson, who emphasized women's inherent capabilities: "If you want, you can. Nothing stands in the way of any woman's will." Her statement "You have an extra chromosome, they [men] don't. You are strong, smart, and you can achieve anything," received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
When asked about American Jewish communities' reaction to the ongoing war, Dr. Adelson, who divides her time between Israel and the United States, responded: "They are very worried, especially the Israeli communities in the US, but also Americans who were generally pro-Palestinian suddenly moved to the middle. How can we have two states after what they did? Under no circumstances."
Yasmin highlighted the surge in antisemitism in the US following Oct. 7, noting that when Shiri Bibas and her children Kfir and Ariel – who were murdered in Hamas captivity and laid to rest about a week ago – had their funeral in Israel, she closed her office to attend the Hostage Square gathering, something less feasible for diaspora Jews.
"I dreamed about Bibas. The two sweet ginger kids entered everyone's hearts," Dr. Adelson responded. "They [the Jewish community] are shocked. Many newspapers wrote about it, they entered everyone's hearts. I won't tell you it's like here in Israel, but people started to understand [the situation] mainly because of the antisemitism that erupted after Oct. 7."
She concluded with a call for unity: "My prayer is that we unite, that we all be one family. If each finger alone is weak, when we are all together we are a strong fist."
