In Holocaust Day speech to UN, Herzog says Israel ‘anguished and incomplete’ without return of every hostage in Gaza

President Isaac Herzog tells a UN ceremony marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day that Israel is “anguished and incomplete” without the return of every hostage in Gaza.

“I stand before you as president of a nation that is determined and proud, and yet — anguished and incomplete,” says Herzog.

“Although the Israeli people have been overcome with emotion seeing seven of our daughters at last emerge heroically from hell – still 90 Israelis and foreign nationals remain in Hamas captivity,” he adds, referring to the release since the start of the current ceasefire of Doron Steinbrecher, Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, Naama Levy, Daniella Gilboa, Liri Albag and Karina Ariev.

“We are anxiously awaiting six more to be freed this week, and awaiting all others,” Herzog says. “I call on all representatives in this General Assembly, all who consider themselves part of the civilized world, to throw your weight to ensure our hostages return to their homes — every single one of them. Bring them back home now!”

Herzog recites a special prayer in Hebrew calling for the safe return of the hostages, who “are enduring subhuman conditions, without essential primary healthcare, without Red Cross visitations, without any compliance with international law, treaties or agreements.”