“Take them home now” The main request that will appear in Plazoleta Sholem Aleichem, located at the intersection of Lavalle, Gascón streets and Córdoba Avenue, in the Buenos Aires area of Almagro. This memorial, promoted by the Israeli Argentine Associations Delegation (DAIA) and the Hacoaj Nautical Club, pays tribute to the 21 Argentine victims killed during the October 7, 2023 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel, and calls for the release of the five Argentines still in captivity.
This project received initial approval in the Legislature on July 11 and, at the recent public hearing, Neighbors, authorities and legislators expressed their support for the initiative. Legislator Pilar Ramírez, promoter of the project and president of the La Libertad Avanza bloc, described it as “a cry for justice amid the suffering of a large part of the Argentine political class“, in statements to THE NIGHT. Ramírez confirmed that his party condemns terrorism firmly and categorically, following the line of President Javier Milei, and said “there is no justification or independence possible in the face of violence and the barbarism that groups like Hamas represent.”
The attack of October 7, 2023 left an indelible mark on Argentina, affecting the Jewish community and the country in general. Almagro’s neighbors showed their support for the project, highlighting the importance of this place in the community. Said Federico González, a resident of the neighborhood THE NIGHT: “This monument reminds us of that we cannot forget those who have not yet returned. It is our duty as a society to continue to demand justice.” For her part, Marta Stein, a neighbor near the square, said: “It is a necessary proposal. The victims and their families deserve a place where we can remember and ask the abductee to return home“.
The monument will be financed and maintained by the DAIA and the Hacoaj Nautical Club, in coordination with the authorities of the City Government of Buenos Aires. Pilar Ramírez also noted that this project is particularly important for Buenos Aires, a city that is home to a large part of the Jewish community. “This monument reinforces our commitment to the values of freedom and justice that we want to protect in our city,” Ramírez told THE NIGHT. He emphasized that in an environment of security and respect, these types of initiatives are fundamental to him keep alive the memory and the principles that support peaceful coexistence in Buenos Aires.
During the public hearing, held in the Legislature of Buenos Aires, several neighbors expressed their desire for the monument to be a place of reflection and meeting. Carlos Varela, another resident of the area, told the press: “This place will be a constant reminder of the fight for freedom and human rights“.
The attack went away 21 Argentines among the dead, and 7 people who are still stolen. Since then, the Jewish community and the families affected have mobilized a large part of society to make the plight of the kidnapped people visible. In this context, the DAIA has led several awareness campaigns, with the aim of generating international support for the release of people still in captivity.
The “Bring The Home Now” monument.inspired by the commemorative plaques used by relatives of those kidnapped to raise money and raise awareness of their plight, as a symbol of international solidarity and in memory of victims of terrorism. The chosen location, Sholem Aleichem Square, a few meters from Palestine Street, reinforces the symbolism of the memorial and its connection to the Jewish community and historical memory.
Ramírez also noted that measures are being planned to ensure that the memorial maintains its relevance in the long term, by organizing annual commemorative events and educational activities. “We want this place to stay alive, not just as a physical place, but as a central place of memory and fight for justice for the victims of terrorism.“, explained the lawmaker to THE NIGHT. These activities aim to raise awareness among future generations about the importance of this symbol and the legacy it represents. “Our position is firm: we condemn terrorism in all its formsand with this monument we reaffirm our commitment to freedom and justice,” concluded Ramírez.
The next stage of the project is its final sanction in the Legislature of Buenos Aires, after which the process of installing the monument will begin. The work, financed and maintained by the DAIA and the Hacoaj Yacht Club, will ensure that the message of justice and freedom will last over time.
It is expected that the impact of this monument will not only be limited to the Jewish community, but will also extend to the commitment of Argentine society to the values of freedom, justice and respect for human life. “This monument should be a constant reminder of that We Argentines are not going to care about the landr”, said Ramírez to THE NIGHT. “We will work hard until the phrase “Take home now” ceases to be a claim and becomes a reality“.
