Freed Hostage Emily’s Wounded Hand Becomes Symbol of Defiance

Stand for Israel  |  January 22, 2025

Released hostage Emily Damari arrives at Tel haSHomer medical center, January 19, 2025.
Released hostage Emily Damari arrives at Tel haSHomer medical center, January 19, 2025. (Photo: Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Now home and reunited with her mother, Emily Damari posted a photo of her unbandaged hand after losing two fingers in Hamas captivity. Now, many across social media and Emily herself are likening her wounded hand to the “rock on” emoji, bringing a message of hope and Israeli defiance, reports The Times of Israel:

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she wrote. “I’m the happiest in the world just to be.”

Emily’s post was signed with the “rock on” emoji, in a nod to the gesture her hand now permanently makes, which has become a new Israeli icon.

Soon after the images were published, supporters added bandages to the “rock on” emoji, transforming Damari’s injury into a symbol of defiance. Mandy Damari added the emoji to her handle on the social network X.

The most widely circulated version was made by Aviad Amergi, an Israeli sneaker artist, who posted it on Instagram along with the words, “A great small victory.” His followers quickly requested that he turn it into a sticker for WhatsApp, the messaging platform that is massively popular in Israel, where it soon circulated widely.