The family of slain Israeli-American soldier Omer Neutra on Long Island delivered a heartbreaking tribute Tuesday at a packed memorial service, and his parents spoke of their hope when they thought he was still alive. .
“For more than a year now, we have been breathing life into your presence, my beautiful son, without any physical sign from you,” Nnoitra's mother, Orna, said tearfully. Ta. He was not taken hostage on October 7, 2023, and was instead killed in combat that day.
“My beautiful son, my strong 6-foot-2, big, smiling son. … I swore for any sign of life and got none,” his mother said.
“We envisioned an image of a reunion that would focus on your fight for liberation and your struggle for clarity in the face of unknown circumstances.
“And now the situation is clear, but not as much as we had hoped,” the mother said in memory of Omer, a 21-year-old Plainview resident and Israeli Defense Force tank commander who was pronounced dead on Monday. He told a crowd of about 1,500 people packed into the Midway Jewish Center in Syosset. He survived the attack and held out hope for 432 days that he was still alive as a hostage.
Neutra's father, Ronen, who has helped organize weekly events in Manhattan's Central Park to connect his son and the hostages with hope, said: , he survives the most horrifying conditions on the planet, and yet you can see him.
“Then one moment there was a knock on the door and it was all over,” his father told mourners. Among them was Rachel Goldberg Pollin, whose son Hersh was also kidnapped and murdered by Hamas.
When Palestinian Hamas terrorists launched a massacre against Israel, “we called on world leaders and national leaders to save him and save others,” his father said.
“We talked about Omer. We talked about him in many places and to be honest I'm speechless,” he said.
Ronen said he was proud not only of his unit's decision to confront Hamas terrorists invading Israel, but also of his son's decision to delay admission to the IDF at Binghamton University.
“On October 7th, they were the first responders who rushed to breach the border, not knowing the scale of the situation and not knowing what they were going to face,” Ronen said of his son and other Israeli troops.
“We were so focused that we completely ignored other options. [Omer] He may have been killed in battle and may have rushed with his team to protect the border with tanks and bodies.
“I heard that Omer gave brave and mature orders to the other tank and Golani forces he was commanding, dividing them,” the father said.
“It saved their lives. Omer, you are a hero,” he added.
Ronen and his wife describe their eldest son as a goofy, fun-loving guy who is dedicated to whatever team he's on, whether it's a sports team or the Israel Defense Forces. He described himself as a man of balance.
Orna acknowledged the support that people around the world have shown her over the past 14 months to her family, who have agonizedly waited for news about “our beautiful Omer,” where Hamas terrorists ambushed them and burned their tanks. He said he was grateful.
“I pray that we can find some solace in continuing to spread your light beyond our grief,” she said. “We will miss you forever and love you forever.”
Nnoitra's younger brother Daniel echoed his parents' sadness, lamenting the fact that he will soon be older than his brother and will have to live a full life without him by his side.
“Thousands of interviews, articles and documentaries will be helpful, at least when we have to explain to our children and grandchildren who Omer was,” Daniel said of the countless stories written about his brother. spoke.
Omer's family called on supporters to continue the fight to save the remaining hostages still held in Gaza and recover the bodies of others, including her son.
Omer's father said of the hostages: “They did everything they could, but they were taken hostage. Now it's Israel's turn to show love and bring him back, his whole team, and everyone else.” Ta.
After the Oct. 7 attack, the Neutras joined a close network of families advocating for the freedom of their loved ones and vowed to continue their fight to help their communities.
“Every march, every rally, every time he goes to Washington or Jerusalem to rescue Omer, it's all too late for him. But it's not in vain,” Daniel said.
“Now everyone knows Omer's story, his sacrifice, his boundless heart, and now his memory will live on forever. …The greatest honor we can give him must continue his life's work and serve lives, rescuing the people he risked his life to protect,” he added.
Gov. Kathy Hochul, who ordered flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff in memory of Omer, told reporters outside the rally that she met with the families of the slain New Yorkers shortly after the attack.
“I had the opportunity to meet his parents, who were the most incredibly brave people I've ever met, and their tenacity, traveling all over the country, going to the capital, and meeting us in Albany. I felt like I knew them very well because we met many times at meetings and services in New York City,” Hochul said.
“On this day, our hearts will be torn apart together,” she added, calling on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. “This has been a long and painful nightmare for many people, and it must end now.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman also spoke after the memorial, touting the Neutra family's strength in the face of tragedy.
“They did everything they could, just in the belief and hope that he might be alive. They really are an amazing family,” he said. “They have tremendous dignity, strength and courage.”
