SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A group of women from Israel’s Kibbutz K’far Azza traveled to Santa Barbara for a special visit.
The eight women did not come as tourists; they came to share their stories of survival in a community that was targeted and “butchered” by Hamas terrorists on October 7.
They also traveled to our area “to breathe” and to feel the embrace of unwavering support and compassion for what they’ve lost and endured. The trip was made possible thanks to a partnership between Congregation B’nai B’rith and Jewish Federation of Greater Santa Barbara .
Four of the women wanted to be interviewed by your NewsChannel team.
“We wanted to come here to say it really happened,” said Osnat Kraus. “It’s not in our imagination. We lost our friend. Some of us lost their children.”
They said the unimaginable horror of that day — and the excruciating weeks following — have brought them closer together. Their settlement of 800 stood just over a mile from the border with Gaza, up until 17 weeks ago.