WASHINGTON – Melania Trump, the First Lady, had a meeting with Keith and Aviva Siegel on Wednesday at the White House. The couple was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
Keith and Aviva were abducted from their residence in Kibbutz Kfar Azha, with Aviva spending 51 days in captivity and Keith 484 days. Keith’s release followed his meeting with the First Lady and Aviva. This gathering occurred after the return of the last hostage by Hamas, Sergeant First Class Ran Gviri (SFC), who unfortunately passed away last month.
“First of all, I want to thank First Lady Melania Trump and President Trump for being such caring individuals who supported Aviva through really tough times. You helped her immensely,” said an emotional Keith during the meeting.
“It’s truly an honor to be here. I’m very thankful for the chance to express my gratitude to you. I’m forever thankful to you and President Trump for bringing me home and ensuring that all the hostages could return to their families,” he continued.
Keith also expressed appreciation to the First Lady for featuring Aviva in a documentary.
Aviva, in her turn, thanked Melania Trump for allowing her to see Keith before his release.
“Our meeting before his return gave me so much hope. I felt your compassion, and it made me realize how important it was for you to connect with President Trump and share your feelings,” she expressed, grateful for the inclusion in the documentary.
“For me, bringing the hostages home was the most crucial task. The horrific things Hamas did to my husband are now being highlighted globally, yet I feel fortunate,” she added.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the First Lady took questions from reporters. One reporter controversially suggested that the event was meant to promote her documentary.
“Why do you think it’s suitable to use a formal White House occasion to promote your film?” a reporter questioned the First Lady.
“This isn’t a promotion,” she replied. “We’re here to celebrate the release of Aviva and Keith’s hostages.”
The Siegel family’s daughter, Ilan, had shared her thoughts in an exclusive interview with Breitbart News in December 2024 while her father was still imprisoned. While she was genuinely thankful for the Biden administration’s support and negotiation efforts, she sensed a “shift” with the then-President-elect Trump’s anticipated return to office.
“From the moment Mr. Trump was elected, we’ve noticed a difference because we’re now hearing him and other global leaders express that it’s time for this to happen. We truly appreciate Mr. Trump for vocally advocating that the hostages must come home,” she stated.
