Australian link to hostage
The body of 80-year-old Peri was discovered by the IDF following a months-long search.
A Melbourne man who recently discovered a link to an Israeli branch of his family is saddened he never got to meet one of them.
Rafi Sztrochlic is a relative of Chaim Peri, an Israeli peace activist from Kibbutz Nir Oz, whose body was recently found in Gaza after he was abducted on October 7.
The body of 80-year-old Peri was discovered by the IDF following a months-long search.
“Chaim was my father’s first cousin. I didn’t grow up knowing Chaim or that side of the family but learning about them has been a powerful experience,” Sztrochlic said.
Through his father’s history and recent DNA testing, he began to uncover a network of relatives scattered worldwide, many of whom he had never met.
Up until just before his father passed away, Sztrochlic thought his family was small. It was only through this research that he discovered so many relatives, including Peri.
“Chaim’s death has brought us closer together. We’ve been connecting more frequently, through Zoom calls with family members from different parts of the world,” he said.
Despite this newfound closeness, the pain of not having met Peri before his death weighs heavily.
“Chaim was a peace activist who believed deeply in helping others, [working] tirelessly to assist Palestinians in Gaza, ensuring children received medical care and education. It’s tragic that someone who did so much good for both communities met such a violent end,” Sztrochlic said.
“Chaim’s daughter Noam spoke at the UN recently – it’s clear that his values of peace and courage have been passed on.”
With the assistance of Rabbi Daniel Rabin from Caulfield Hebrew Congregation, Sztrochlic is currently organising a memorial for Peri and the other hostages who were killed.
“I feel a deep responsibility to remember Chaim here in Australia. Even though I didn’t know him personally, I’m the closest relative here, and I want to ensure his legacy is honoured,” he said.
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