In a deeply symbolic gesture marking the conclusion of a painful chapter, Australian Liberal MP Julian Leeser has removed the yellow ribbon pin that symbolized solidarity with Israeli hostages in Gaza. This act followed Israel’s recovery of police officer Ran Gvili’s remains on Monday, more than two years after he was killed during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack.
The return of Gvili’s remains represents the final resolution of Israel’s hostage recovery efforts, closing a period of intense uncertainty for families and the global Jewish diaspora. The recovery operation occurred amid the devastating conflict that has left Gaza largely destroyed as Israel pursued its military objectives against Hamas.
Leeser explained his gesture in a video statement: “With the return of the remains of the last hostage, the conflict has come to an end. It’s time for me to remove this badge, which has been a symbol of the fight to bring the hostages and their remains home.” The yellow ribbon pin bearing the words “bring them home” had become an enduring international symbol of support for the captives.
This symbolic act was mirrored by Israeli President Isaac Herzog, who similarly removed his pin in a social media video. The Zionist Federation of Australia also documented supporters removing yellow ribbons from their vehicles in a coordinated expression of closure.
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry described the development as a “solemn milestone” that would finally allow Gvili’s family to conduct proper burial ceremonies. According to official figures, approximately 20 living hostages and the remains of 27 others have been returned since the current ceasefire took effect in early December, with at least 30 additional individuals returned during earlier truce agreements.
Hamas reportedly assisted in locating Gvili’s remains in a cemetery near the Yellow Line—the demarcation between Israeli-occupied Gaza and territory controlled by Hamas. While significant, this development occurs amid ongoing challenges in implementing the ceasefire agreement, which includes provisions for Hamas disarmament, increased aid delivery through the Rafah border, and deployment of an international stabilization force.
The conflict’s human cost remains staggering, with estimates suggesting over 70,000 Palestinian casualties since October 2023. Meanwhile, former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited Israel for Holocaust Remembrance Day, condemning what he described as a “torrent of anti-Semitic hatred and violence” that has emerged globally since the conflict began.