Jerusalem, Israel – Harriet P. Schleifer, Chair, and William C. Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, released the following statement:
After 466 days of brutal captivity and over a year since the last hostage deal, 33 hostages are due to be returned home to their families soon. The Conference of Presidents, and the Jewish people at large, greet this news with a mix of relief, heartache, and continued outrage. Relief, because now 33 men and women, will be returned to their families. Relief, because at last those who have died while in the dungeons of the Hamas terrorists will at least be afforded a decent and respectful burial. We know the announcement today of a deal is just the beginning of a process that will hopefully bring home all of the hostages. We understand their release comes at a high price and with that brings uncertainty for Israel. We thank the IDF for their heroism, their protection of the people of Israel, and for safeguarding freedom throughout the region.
For more than 15 months, the Jewish people, alongside the people and government of Israel have fought for the safe return of the hostages kidnapped from Israel on October 7, 2023. American Jews and our allies have protested, put up hostage posters, and attended prayer services. Our labors have not been in vain. We rejoice in the coming release of these hostages, and we salute the courage and resilience of the hostage families, who never lost hope and never tired of their just cause.
But we also cannot avoid our heartbreak. Dozens of hostages died while in captivity or on October 7th, their bodies either returning in this new deal or recovered by the IDF. We can only hope that the return of their bodies to Israel will offer their families a small measure of closure, and allow them a proper opportunity for grieving and remembrance. May their memories always be for a blessing and may G-d comfort their families among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem
And outrage—outrage that the plight of our kidnapped friends, family, and community members has too often been minimized and even dismissed. That Hamas was depraved enough to seize —and slaughter—women and children, young and old, Holocaust survivors and newborns. And that so many were ready to excuse and even celebrate such crimes. The stain of antisemitism has rarely appeared so deep and indelible as in these recent cases.
We thank President Biden, President-Elect Trump, and their teams for focusing attention on the hostages’ ordeal and their unwavering demand that our brothers and sisters be released from this cruel bondage. We salute the global Jewish community and our allies for continually holding the hostages in our collective hearts and keeping them in the forefront of our efforts. We again applaud the dedication and grit of the family and friends of the hostages themselves, whose love, solidarity, and selflessness are models for us all.
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The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is the consensus-based, recognized central coordinating body representing 50 diverse national Jewish organizations on issues of national and international concern. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of every member organization.
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