Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Friday, September 6, 2024

Addressing GOP Jewish confab, parents of American-Israeli hostage thank Biden, Trump for leadership and support

By Jacob Magid 6 September 2024, 6:06 am 4 Edit

Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief

Addressing the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual conference in Las Vegas, the parents of American-Israeli hostage Omer Neutra lament that they and other hostage families have been forced to remind leaders in Israel and the US of central Jewish teachings.

“‘All Jews are responsible for one another,’ ‘anyone who saves a life is as if he saved an entire world,’ ‘You will not stand for your neighbor’s blood,’ ‘Redemption of captives,’ and I can go on and on,” says Orna Neutra.

“These values have always been at the core of Israeli society, but somehow, as hostage families, we find ourselves fighting not only for our loved ones but to remind our leaders here and in Israel how critical these values are to our Jewish soul, to our healing, to our future as a people,” she laments.

“We realize we are speaking today and that this is a political gathering, but this is not a political issue. It is a dire humanitarian issue, and we need all hands on deck,” says Ronen Neutra.

“As proud Americans who love Israel, we need to unify in a way that supports and allows Israel to get the hostages back and most effectively fight Hamas and other enemies in the region who are a threat to democracy and American interests in the region and around the world,” he continues.

“We are grateful to all the strong leaders who stand with us as we fight to bring our son home. To President Biden for his leadership and President Trump, whom we know stands with hostages and hostage families,” says the father of the 22-year-old hostage.

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