Ambassadors and representatives from all over the Asia-Pacific Region gathered on Sunday at Kibbutz Beeri to commemorate the foreign workers killed on October 7, 2023.
Ambassadors and representatives from all over the Asia-Pacific region gathered on Sunday at Kibbutz Beeri for the Memorial to honor the foreign workers killed in Hamas 7.
The festival, hosted by ambassadors representing Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, SriPal, and other Asia-Pacific nations, brought together a number of foreign nationals who have been domesticated while living and working in Israel.
Many of the victims were caretakers, agricultural workers, and students who had come to seek a chance and become a part of Israeli life.
A representative of the embassy of Nepal came to the place the ambassador of Nepal Dhan Prasad Pandit, who had not returned to Israel yet, as he was involved in the return of the Slain Nepalese Hostage Bipin Joshi.
Joshi was killed in Hamas exile. Earlier, he was kicked out by the terrorists and they showed him alive.
Kibbutz Beeri, one of the hardest-hit Gaza border areas during the attack, was home to many victims.
Four Filipinos, two Sri Lankans, and one Australian were killed there. In addition, two Thai workers were kidnapped and later killed in Gaza. The body of National One Thai, Sudthisak Rinthalak, has been living in Gaza for more than two years.
During the Memorial service, Thai ambassador bonyarit Vechienpunti spoke about the 28,000 Thai nationals currently living in Israel, most of them in agriculture.
He said: “They were highly praised for their hard work, dedication and kindness,” he said. “They helped cultivate this country and feed this nation. Little by little, they became part of the economy and society of Israel.”
The ambassador paid for the citizens of 42 Thai buildings that were killed during the attack by Hamas, including Sudthisak, who had worked in Bereri.
“He will never forget,” said Boonyarit. “We are calling for, once again, the long-awaited release of his body and all other remaining victims.”
Speaking later in Jerusalem, Boonyarit said Thai officials are awaiting news about Sudthisak’s body, hoping it will be found and returned to his country. Boonyarit expressed confidence in the government and its ongoing efforts to bring the remains home.
The event included remarks from Aviv Ezra, Deputy Director-General for Asia-Pacific Affairs at the foreign ministry, who said the death of foreign workers was also lost on Israel. “We are better together. We are stronger together,” she said.
‘Remembering those who are no longer by our side by paying attention to them’
The Ambassador of Vietnam, Sy Duc Trung, who works as the dean of the Asia-Pacific Ambassadors, was not only remembered but also to maintain the living conditions of other countries.
He said he asked the Israeli government to address safety, shelter during conflict, and labor policies affecting foreign nationals.
“We believe that the best way to remember those who are no longer by our side is by paying proper attention,” said Trung.
Philippines Ambassador Aileen Mendiola spoke about four people in her country who were killed on October 7: Paul Vincent Castelvi, both killed in Kibbutz Kfar Aza and Loreta, who were in the south during the attack.
In the crowd were the guardians of the Philippines who survived the killing, and the one who was released from exile in November 2023. In addition, the parents of the Filipino soldiers who fell in the Israeli war to return the hostages were also present.
“Many of them showed extraordinary courage and dedication in protecting and saving their employers during those terrible times,” Mendeiola told the audience.
“Despite the terrible danger, they continued to fight with their Saba [grandfather in Hebrew] and savta [grandmother]”The ambassador said.
“Their power among them reminds us of the great costs of the conflict, borne not only by the tribes, but by the families, and the agricultural partners in Tanzania, and all the captives nearby.
“Many, many lives,” Mendiola said.
The Sri Lankan envoy spoke of the two slain Sri Lankan hostages, both of whom were killed in Bereri while working as caretakers. 49-year-old Angula Jayathilaka and 41-year-old Yatawara Bandara both had families back home they were working to support.
Sri Lankan Ambassador Nimal Bandara paid tribute to His Highnesses, but chose to reiterate what he said was Israel’s continued commitment to ‘paying money, wages and compensation’ [to the surviving families] on time.”
“We will not compensate the lives that were sacrificed to pay money, but the government and the relevant agencies pay attention to the families of those who lost their lives, who relied on them,” said Bandara.
He lists the nationalities of the 71 foreign workers killed on October 7: 39 Thai, four Filipino, four Chisi, one Tanzanian, one Cambodian, one Sudanese, one Sudanese, one Sudanese, and one Southern.
“We are gathered here today to honor their contribution to the community of Israel and the country and to honor the members of their families who contributed to protect this land and help the new community,” said the ambassador.
Officials, Israeli officials, ex-captains, survivors, and families of the bereaved attended the event, which included prayers of intercession led by a Catholic priest and a monk, candlelight vigils, and tribute ceremonies.
In a statement from Kibbutz Beeri, the director of the IFICTRACTIC BEEDIKER WELTITET deep foreign guardians who died protecting citizens that day, and Jayathilaka and Jayathina and Jatawara from Sri Lanka.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t protect your loved ones on that terrible day,” Zeliniker said. “Your loved ones are safe and caring for our members, and we will be eternally grateful.”
He also thanked foreign workers living in Bereri. “Living and working with the community in Trauma is a very big challenge,” she said. “Thank you for staying with us and taking care of our beloved Kibbutz members.”
Ambassadors of the Asia-Pacific and the community of Beeri said that this memorial was a memorial to those who were lost but also an affirmation of the nations that remain motivated in the midst of their pain, continuing to help build their future.
