ICEJ Staff
Attacked & Destroyed by Terrorists, Rebuilt with Love by Christians
ICEJ Australia is raising support for a major project where we can express our love and be part of the rebuilding of Israel’s battered and traumatised south.
One of the communities affected by the tragic events of October 7 is Kibbutz Be’eri, a historically significant community in the western Negev that has long embodied the pioneering spirit of Israel. It has thrived as a place of resilience, industry, and communal strength. However, on October 7 the kibbutz became the site of one of the most shocking attacks, leaving deep scars—physical, emotional, and structural.
For the 1200-plus residents of Be’eri, it was devastating. Over 120 houses were destroyed, 132 members were killed or kidnapped, including 51 elderly residents, some of whom are still not released. Most homes were destroyed by fire, and the others were pillaged and robbed. Thirteen public buildings were destroyed and desecrated. One was a key building that was part of the Children’s Education Centre.
Before its destruction, the building functioned as an essential hub for children aged 8-10. It served as an after-school centre, where children received meals, completed homework, and participated in educational activities. It was also a key facility during school holidays, providing a safe space for children while their parents worked. Located close to three kindergartens and a playground, the Centre stood at the heart of the kibbutz’s educational framework.
On October 7, terrorists took over the Children’s Centre – it was a strategic act. They knew it included the heaviest fortified missile protected buildings in the centre of the community. One of the most heroic battles took place between the medical centre and the kindergarten, lasting for 7 hours.
Our National Director (Sarah Way) and Board Chairman (Mark Mudri) stood in front of this site of terror along with 50 ICEJ leaders from 40 nations as part of a groundbreaking ceremony to begin the rebuilding project.
Earlier, Sarah and Mark had been escorted by brave survivors who had lived to tell the horrific stories through the destroyed houses and massacre sites. Sharing their experiences has become for many residents, their therapy.
During October 7 Hamas committed atrocities which deliberately targeted the family unit in the various communities they invaded. Parents were murdered in front of their children, children in front of their parents. These heinous acts were not random but calculated and planned. A new term needed to be created, “Kinocide,” to describes the deliberate weaponisation or destruction of families. Like genocide, it does not necessarily mean the immediate destruction of a targeted group but was intended to represent various forms of violence against the family unit, targeting the core of a nation or society.
At the ceremony, each leader wrote a note of blessing for the children on behalf of their nations and placed it in a secure box. This was then placed in the foundation of the building. We all shared in sealing this footing with concrete.
From Sarah Way: “It’s a great honour that ICEJ have been part of the work supporting the community at Kibbutz Beeri well before Oct 7th. It’s one thing to build infrastructure, but as Christians we are joining hands with this incredibly resilient community to support rebuilding their lives and the heart of it is the Children’s Centre. A safe space where they can be together, learn, receive trauma counselling. This is more than a building; it’s a huge embrace from Christians from around the world.”
Your TAX DEDUCTIBLE donation will help to rebuild lives and communities with safe, inhabitable areas for generations to come.
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No mass murder was better documented in human history, along with acts of torture and sexual assault – the utter barbarism of the perpetrators being exposed by themselves.
Sarah reports “While the most of the world have turned their back on Israel and some even deny Oct 7… this has only made ICEJ even more determined to COMFORT Israel and bring a light of Hope in this darkness”
Isaiah 60:10 says, “foreigners will rebuild your walls” and now, we are needed to fulfil that prophecy. These particular walls, this vital space that was destroyed, can again provide the children of Be’eri with a safe, well-equipped educational environment where they can learn, play, and find stability. This will help families to return and rebuild their lives. Be a part of comforting and rebuilding the walls, making a real difference on the ground in a way that really touches their hearts.
Only a few minutes away, close to Kibbutz Beeri, Australia and New Zealand are forever remembered by a memorial that stands in in the western Negev honouring the impact the ANZACs had on the battle for the Holy Land in the world wars. A trail from the memorial which meanders through part of the Be’eri Forest marks the significant spots of ANZAC involvement. Until present hostilities it has been a much-loved hiking trail, especially in the spring when colourful, particularly red, wildflowers cover the fields.
Just as our troops came to the rescue of the Land of Israel, we want to be there for Israel once more.
The project to rebuild the Children’s Centre is planned to begin soon, and if fundraising goals are met it will be completed by October 2026.
The importance of rebuilding was echoed by Avida Bachar – Representing Bereaved Families: “Unending grief, deep yearning is with us every morning, every night, in every holiday. But despite this, we must go on. We must remember love, keep living, and keep building.
Please, donate today to continue our support for rebuilding both structures and lives.
You can make a huge difference to the future of these communities.
