The Marseille-Cassis race, which took place on Sunday October 27, took on a unique and powerful character this year thanks to the action of a group of runners gathered under the banner BRING THEM BACK HOME NOW.
The collective, formed around Liza Drahi and Déborah Cohen, two friends wishing to pay tribute and give visibility to the 101 Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, managed to mobilize 64 runners. This initiative was born out of a spontaneous impulse, fueled by the desire to do more than a simple symbolic gesture.
Sandra Amar, long-time activist (Camp des Milles memorial site, Crif Marseille Provence, Israelite Consistoire of Marseille, former member of the board of directors of the Edmond Fleg cultural center) and organizer of this event, coordinated this participation within the Marseille- Cassis, overseeing communication, partnerships, logistics and press relations. For her, and for the entire collective, the objective was to echo the drama of the hostages. Running with a determination and endurance inspired by the fate of these 101 people deprived of their liberty was to show that the fight for their liberation is not led only in Israel, but also in the diaspora.
The group ran with the aim of raising awareness among a wide audience. By displaying the message BRING THEM BACK HOME ALIVE on their t-shirts, they challenged and found support from other runners and spectators, who encouraged their action. Members of support groups, such as those of October 7 in Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, were also present to increase this visibility by displaying portraits of the hostages. The solidarity of the public, the mutual aid within the group, and the fervor of each of the runners made it possible to transform this marathon into a vibrant testimony of support for the families of the hostages and a reminder of the urgency of their release.
Through this action, the collective of runners demonstrated that it is possible to transform sport into an act of international solidarity. This continued visibility for the hostages through the symbolic Marseille-Cassis race sends a strong message: the world does not forget them, and their families can find in these gestures comfort and assurance that their cause remains alive. Beyond the race, this event testifies to the commitment of the Jewish diaspora, reinforcing the idea that the freedom of each hostage is at the heart of global concerns, or should be.
