PM speaks to wife of Israeli-Hungarian hostage while flying from Budapest to DC

By Nava Freiberg

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6 April 2025, 6:20 pm

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Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.

Lishay Miran-Lavi, wife of hostage Omri Miran, at a press conference in Tel Aviv held by hostages' families on March 2, 2025. (Video screenshot)

While flying to Washington aboard the Wing of Zion state plane, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks with Lishay Miran, the wife of hostage Omri Miran, the Prime Minister’s Office says.

Netanyahu updates Lishay that he mentioned Omri, who is a dual Hungarian citizen, numerous times throughout his visit to Budapest, which ended this morning. The PMO says the premier discussed Omri’s case in meetings with the prime minister and president of Hungary and in additional meetings held to promote the return of the hostages.

The premier also requested the involvement of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban in returning the body of hostage Ilan Weiss for burial in Israel, the PMO adds.

“The prime minister added that he will continue to act tirelessly for the return of all our hostages – the living and the fallen alike – while raising the issue in the global consciousness during every diplomatic visit,” writes Netanyahu’s office.

Miran’s loved ones reacted in anger following Netanyahu’s comments upon departing Hungary earlier today, in which he referenced “the Hungarian hostage” but did not mention Omri by name, and did not mention Weiss at all.

In addition to the PMO’s statement, Netanyahu writes in a series of posts on X that he departs for the US “at the invitation of [US] President [Donald] Trump, to talk with him about these issues: The hostages, achieving victory in Gaza and the tariff regime that has been imposed on Israel. I hope that I will be able to help on this issue. That is the intention.”

“I would like to convey my personal support to the families of the hostages who again endured psychological warfare propaganda. We are thinking about their loved ones. We are working, at this moment, to bring about their release. With G-d’s help, we will do so and we will succeed,” continues the prime minister.

The statement comes a day after the Hamas terror group released a propaganda video featuring hostages Bar Kupershtein and Maxim Herkin in the first sign of life from both men since they were abducted by terrorists on October 7, 2023.