WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) Wednesday brought together a bipartisan group of more than a dozen House Members and more than a dozen American hostage family members of those taken by Hamas to unite and call for the immediate return of the hostages.
“For more than 150 days, these families have been living in fear as their loved ones, Americans, remain captured. It blows my mind that this isn’t talked about every single day in this country. As a father, I cannot even begin to comprehend what they have been going through for the past five months. No family should ever have to experience this unfathomable pain,” Gottheimer said. “We want to make sure that no American forgets that Americans are still being held hostage as we speak. Despite Israel’s agreement to terms of a temporary pause, Hamas refuses to agree to the negotiated terms.”
American hostage family members in attendance include:
- Adi Alexander, father of American hostage Edan Alexander, as a guest of Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), with special thanks to Reps. Jason Smith (R-MO-8) and Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19).
- Yael Alexander, mother of American hostage Edan Alexander, as a guest of Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ-1).
- Yehuda Beinin, father of released American hostage Liat Atzili, as a guest of Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-2).
- Hagit Chen, mother of American hostage Itay Chen, as a guest of Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA).
- Ruby Chen, father of American hostage Itay Chen, as a guest of Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC).
- Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of American hostage Sagui Dekel-Chen, as a guest of Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5), with special thanks to Reps. Jason Smith (R-MO-8) and Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19).
- Ester “Etty” Israeli, aunt of American hostage Itay Chen.
- Liz Naftali, great-aunt of released American hostage Abigail Mor Edan, as a guest of Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI-11).
- Orna and Daniel Neutra, mother and brother of American hostage Omer Neutra, as guests of Rep. Mike Lawler (D-NY-17) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA).
- Ronen Neutra, father of American hostage Omer Neutra, as a guest of Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY-3).
- Abby Polin, aunt of American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, as a guest of Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL-10).
- Andrea Weinstein, sister of murdered American hostages Judy Weinstein and Gad Haggai, as a guest of Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY-8).
Gottheimer was joined by Representatives Goldman (NY-10), Hoyer (MD-5), Landsman (OH-1), Lawler (NY- 17), Manning (NC-6), Norcross (NJ-1), Panetta (CA-19), Schneider (IL-10), Sherman (CA-32), Smith (MO-8), Steube (FL 17), Steube (FL-17), Suozzi (NY-3), Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Wilson (FL-24).
