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Why Yellow Ribbons? The Symbol of Hope for Hostages

by Mackenzie Landi
Why Yellow Ribbons? The Symbol of Hope for Hostages

They are everywhere – yellow ribbons are tied to almost everything that stands still in Israel. People have pins on their clothing, ribbons flying from their wing-mirrors, tied around trees and lamp posts, woven into fences.

Close to the ALL ISRAEL NEWS offices the roadsides are decked with a sea of yellow flags. The whole land is awash with yellow reminders of the hostages.

There are many ribbons to raise awareness of one cause or another, pink for breast cancer, for example, but why has yellow been chosen for the hostages?

The answer, ironically, is tied to Iran. Yellow ribbons first became associated with waiting for the return of hostages in November 1979, when 52 Americans were taken hostage in the U.S. Embassy in Tehran.

The entire staff were held captive for 444 long days. The National Museum of American Diplomacy tells the story of how the initiative came from Penne Laingen, wife of Bruce Laingen who was the Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy at the time. She is recorded as saying,

“Tell them to do something constructive, because we need a great deal of patience. Just tell them to tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree.”

Continue reading this article on allisrael.com

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