A table for 203 people was set for the hostages in Tel Aviv

Artist Konstantin Benkovich appreciated the installation on the square next to the Museum of Fine Arts

Relatives of Israelis held hostage in the Gaza Strip laid a festive table for 203 people in the square next to the Museum of Fine Arts in Tel Aviv. The purpose of such an action, which at first glance may seem inappropriate, was specifically told to MK by the artist Konstantin Benkovich, who witnessed the beginning of the war in Israel.

On this street table there are empty glasses and plates for the Shabbat meal for which Israeli families would traditionally gather this weekend. Only the seats at the table are empty. In this way, the relatives of the hostages send a signal to their loved ones that they are waiting and hoping for their return.

“A long table was installed in the square next to the largest museum in Tel Aviv,” says artist Konstantin Benkovich, whose relatives have been living there for 30 years, and he himself often comes to visit them and lives for several months. At the moment when Hamas attacks on Israel began, Benkovich was in Tel Aviv.

– This square is one of the most popular places in the city, people constantly gather there, there are sculptures around, including very famous authors, such as Henry Moore. Nearby is the General Staff, near which rallies are usually held for various reasons. I think that you can’t just install anything there without permission. . This is a strong action in support of the hostages. But it is aimed not only at Hamas prisoners, but at the whole world. Europe and Arab countries support Palestine in one form or another. There is a propaganda war going on. In this situation, such an action, which went viral on social networks and news channels, will eloquently and at the same time gently remind that the main thing is the safety of people and that many Israelis became innocent victims of those terrible events. This is a powerful action in support of Israel, I think it will have an impact on many people around the world. Israel never abandons its prisoners. I think a lot of work is going on to free these people.

– Is Tel Aviv empty? How are people feeling? Do they take to the streets?

“On the first day, the city was really empty. But already on the second or third day, shops began to open, and people began to go out into the street to do their business. Israelis are accustomed to difficult situations, although this has probably never happened before. These are very life-loving people, so it seems to me that the action about very difficult circumstances turned out to have a positive connotation.

– Were you personally in danger?

“In the first days I felt what war was like. Literally a hundred meters from me, a rocket hit a building and completely destroyed it. I was in the Florentin area – this is an old city with historical buildings, the walls were shaking, the glass on the windows was cracking, danger was very close. Every day the siren wailed, warning of shelling, 4-5 times a day. At the same time, there are almost no bomb shelters in my area, so I just went out into the stairwell. Now I am in London, where I came for my art project. The first days I could not come to my senses and get used to the fact that there was no war, anxiety or danger around.

According to the latest data, there are now 203 hostages in Gaza, among them 30 children and 20 people over 60 years old.