TEL AVIV: Yellow ribbons of solidarity with Israel’s Gaza hostages featured alongside colorful performances at Tel Aviv’s drag festival that opened this week, days after a ceasefire brought hope of the captives’ return.
The ceasefire between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas militant group came into effect on Sunday, with the first three hostages released in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners. Some 30 more of the 94 hostages who remain in the enclave are meant to be freed over the next five weeks.
“I think we can continue our lives, we can continue celebrating,” said the show’s host, Kimberly Swan. “But the most important thing right now in our country is to bring our hostages back home.”
The Gaza war was triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. It was the country’s deadliest day and the pain it inflicted on Israelis still endures.
“It always feels like something is missing,” said performer Joanna Russ. “Like our brothers and sisters are not next to us.”
Israel’s 15-month offensive in Gaza has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, health authorities there say, and laid waste to the enclave. Israel has faced fierce international criticism, including among artists around the world, for its campaign.
Some performers at the festival in freewheeling Tel Aviv said they hoped to rekindle ties with drag performers abroad. “We are here to say we miss the queens and we hope they don’t have a stigma about us,” performer Nona Chalant said.
Israeli hostages get heartfelt tribute at Tel Aviv drag festival
https://arab.news/4u4p8
Israeli hostages get heartfelt tribute at Tel Aviv drag festival
- “I think we can continue our lives, we can continue celebrating,” said the show’s host, Kimberly Swan
- “But the most important thing right now in our country is to bring our hostages back home“
Pakistan team creates world record for lowest target defended in first-class cricket
- PTV dismissed Sui Northern Gas for 37 while defending a target of 40, winning the President Trophy
- Previous record dated back to 1794, when England’s Oldfield defended a 41-run target against MCC
KARACHI: A Pakistan’s domestic team created a world record of defending the lowest target in all first-class cricket when they stopped the opposition in a chase of just 40 runs.
Pakistan Television (PTV), defending champions in the President Trophy, shot Sui Northern Gas (SNGPL) for a paltry 37 to win the match by a mere two runs on day three of the four-day game.
This becomes a new record in 253 years of first-class cricket, beating England’s Oldfield’s 1794 feat when they successfully defended 41 against MCC at the Lord’s Old Ground to win by six runs.
PTV’s head coach Mohammad Waseem praised his team’s historic effort.
“I am delighted with my team’s world record effort,” Waseem, a former Pakistan player, told AFP. “My team’s motto is to never give up, fight till the last ball.
“This is the not the first time, we have won all our three matches coming from well behind by remaining positive in all situations.”
The star-studded SNGPL batting led by Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood were bowled out in 19.4 overs with just one batter Saifullah Bangash crossing double figures with 14.
Masood was out without scoring while Test players, Mohammad Ali made six and spinner Sajid Khan just three.
Pakistan’s international players Omair Bin Yousuf made six and Abdul Samad five.
For the winners, left-arm spinner Ali Usman wrecked the batting with 6-9 and pacer Ammad Butt took 4-28 — the only two bowlers used in their second innings.
SNGPL’s head coach is former Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq with another former captain Azhar Ali their batting coach.
