Biden must use force, not just diplomacy, if he wants to rescue our hostages in Gaza
The Israeli killings of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in Lebanon have raised the risk of all-out war in the Middle East and complicated Israel-Hamas negotiations for peace in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken Commented On July 19, Israel announced that negotiations with Hamas to free the […]
Russia Wants to Take More American Hostages for More Trades, Biden Did ‘Outstanding Job’ with Swap
“We know that Russia will not hesitate to take more Americans hostage in order to make more deals,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Ben Cardin (D-Md.) said on MSNBC’s “Katie Tarr Reports” on Friday. But he said that “President Biden has done a great job negotiating” the prisoner swap the U.S. agreed to with Russia […]
Evan Gershkovich freed: Former Iran prisoner calls on US to do better helping hostages re-enter society
As Russia returns wrongfully held hostages in a prisoner swap, a former hostage-taker warns their work is only just beginning. Three US citizens and one US green card holder who had been wrongfully imprisoned in Russia were released from Russia in a prisoner swap on Thursday. The four were Paul Whelan, Evan Gershkovich, Ars Kurmaseva […]
300 days later, Netanyahu must be brave and bold for hostages
I met Last week, I met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu three times. As I reflect on these meetings and the seven days since the 300th anniversary of the October 7 massacre, I am left with a powerful feeling. The first of several meetings was a deeply personal encounter that I will never forget. The […]
Joe Biden Blames Donald Trump for Not Rescuing Hostages Seized Under Biden
President Joe Biden appeared visibly frustrated and confused during an exchange with reporters on Thursday after announcing a prisoner swap deal with Russia, as he tried to blame his predecessor and likely successor, Donald Trump, for failing to rescue hostages held captive since taking office. As Biden, whose announcement of the Russia deal was laced […]
As families of hostages watch Netanyahu, how many are believed to be alive in Gaza?
As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to address both chambers of Congress for the first time since Hamas’s Oct. 7 terrorist attack that prompted this iteration of the conflict, the families of the hostages are left clinging to a hope that may never be recognized. As of this week, the Israel Defense Forces has […]
Two Hostages, Including Holocaust Educator, Murdered in Gaza
On Monday, two Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip were announced to have been killed: Holocaust educator Alex Dansig, 75, from Kibbutz Nir Oz, and musician Yagev Bukshtav, 35, from Kibbutz Nirim. Danzig, a dual Polish-Israeli citizen, spent his life building bridges between Polish and Israeli Jews, working at Israel’s famous […]
‘We Want Our Hostages Back … Or You Will be Paying a Very Big Price’
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, in a speech Thursday at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, threatened countries and terrorist organizations currently holding Americans hostage. “To the whole world, we want the hostages back. If they are not back before I take office, there will be a very heavy price to pay.” While Trump […]
Nine months on, Hamas hostages and survivors continue to be victimized
Nine months ago, I went to a music festival in Israel. It ended up being the most traumatic event of my life. When the rocket warning sirens woke us up, my friend told me not to worry. It was normal in that part of Israel, she said — normal to live with the constant awareness […]
Republican National Convention Prays for Freedom for Israeli Hostages
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, opened with several prayers on Monday, including a special one for the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza. Lord, we pray for the peace of Your eternal city, Jerusalem, and for all the descendants of Abraham. We remember and pray for the release of the hostages […]