Brit held hostage by Hamas returns to England and meets Spurs legends
British hostage Emily Damari enjoyed a trip back to England with countryside walks, meetings with Spurs legends and a visit to the London synagogue which supported her throughout her 471 day ordeal
When British hostage Emily Damari was being held captive by Hamas for 471 days she could only dream of taking country walks with her mum through England's green and pleasant land. She never thought she would meet her Spurs idols Ossie Ardiles, Gary Mabbutt, Ledley King and James Maddison.
Now after an 'amazing' week back in the UK, the 28-year-old British hostage has returned to Israel where she has just undergone further surgery on her badly damaged hand. The Mirror has been given details of Emily's trip here where she spent time relaxing and walking with her mum Mandy - who described her as a 'superhero.' Friends said another highlight was meeting and petting a dog which looked very much like her own beloved pet.
Emily's dog was shot dead by Hamas attackers on October 7 2023 when she and dozens of others from her kibbutz were taken captive. Emily made an emotional, personal unscheduled address at a London synagogue which had 'adopted' her during her 471 day ordeal inside the tunnels under Gaza.
She said: "I was never sure I would ever see daylight again, let alone a football match at my beloved Spurs. I also decided to speak after the astonishing reception and warmth I received when my mum and I went to a north London synagogue in Highgate, north London, on a Saturday morning It was packed and full of love from the whole congregation, men women and children."
At the synagogue her mum Mandy also revealed: "My daughter was a superhero. Other released hostages have told me how Emily kept up their flagging spirits as they languished in terrible conditions underground. Emily even begged her captors not to set her free, but to choose instead an older hostage." For months, an empty chair had been left inside the synagogue in her name. Finally, she sat in it.
Some 400 people packed into the synagogue to welcome Emily. As she entered, the congregation rose to their feet in a prolonged and spontaneous standing ovation. Rabbi Nicky Liss hailed Mandy as 'the bravest woman I know'.
On her walks around London she often wore a yellow Spurs shirt emblazoned with the names of brothers Gali and Ziv – close friends of hers still held hostage. On the shirt also was the number 583, marking the number of days since October 7.
"May the 59 hostages be home soon," she said. "Gali and Ziv Berman are very close friends of mine. I hope they bring them home today." Earlier this month the Mirror revealed how she had gone to watch her beloved Spurs play Crystal Palace.
Now friends described what happened that day. "She met legends like Ossie Ardiles, Gary Mabbutt and Ledley King," said one. "And she met one of her favourite current players James Maddison. It was a very special day."
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