Wearing a Diskit for the Hostages

Wearing a Diskit for the Hostages

By Arieh Waldman

On Monday this week, I read that Ran Gvili (an Israeli policeman) was returned home to Israel. Unfortunately, he did not survive October 7, 2023. Ran was killed 843 days ago defending all the citizens of the State of Israel and, some would say, the Jewish People around the world.  He was the last hostage to come home.

In December 2023, I went to Israel for 3 weeks to volunteer and to visit friends and relatives.  It was an unorganized trip, yet I found many things to do as a volunteer. My time there was appreciated by all with whom I made contact. Two people gave me “diskits” (a pseudo-military “dog-tag”) that were specially modified for the times to read “Bring them Home Now” (In Hebrew, it reads “My Heart is Captive in Gaza”).  The date October 7, 2023, was inscribed on both as well.  Both Val and I wore our diskits.

And, now, since Monday, January 26, 2026, I have stopped wearing it. Happily. All 251 hostages are home; some alive, some dead.  I am sure all the survivors are still suffering from their captivity.  I wore this diskit outwardly, everywhere and every day. Why? One reason was to identify with Israelis and the hostages. Another reason was to show I was Jewish. The third reason was to engage with anyone about what the words on the diskit meant. To me, it did not matter with whom I engaged; the less informed the better. Over 843 days, I displayed this diskit in Toronto, parts of Ontario, France, Greece, Portugal, Italy, Spain, New York state, Germany, Austria, and Israel.  Not once was I ever approached in a hostile manner. A few times, I was asked about its significance, and I explained. Those asking were sympathetic when they understood. Others thanked me for wearing it. Granted, I did not go to the UofT encampment or TMU; I had no good reason to go there. I also did not go to anti-Israel demonstrations. Yet, as I said, not once in Europe or North America has the displayed diskit proven to be a danger to me or anyone with me.

During my most recent visit to Israel last November, people there asked me if I wear the diskit everywhere. The answer was “yes, until the last hostage comes home.” Israelis have been told not to wear outward signs showing their nationality or to speak Hebrew in public when travelling abroad. I cannot comment on these instructions; I do know that wearing the diskit in public does give me a sense of belonging (“zika” in Hebrew) and identification during these tough times. Perhaps it is my age and stage of life that allows me to disregard those instructions to Israelis? And, now, not wearing the diskit? I am glad there are no more hostages in the hands of our enemies and no reason to wear the diskit with its haunting words. However, I am fully aware othat our enemies abound, there is work to be done to make Israel a better country, and I ponder my descendants’ future in Canada or wherever they may live in the world.

“Chazak ve’ematz” as we continue to live our lives unafraid.