New York, NY – Harriet P. Schleifer, Chair, and William C. Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, released the following statement:
Our hearts break at the tragic news of the recovery of the bodies of six murdered Israeli hostages — Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Alexander Lubanov, Almog Surasi, and Ori Danoni. Reports indicate that Hamas murdered them only a day or two before their bodies were found yesterday, and only a few days after the successful rescue of Farhan al-Qadi.
Hersh’s parents, Rachel and Jon, have been models of grace, composure, and hope amid this terrible ordeal. The story of Hersh-an Israeli American born in Berkeley, CA–has particularly captivated the American Jewish and wider American public. We hold in our hearts the memories and families of all those who have been lost. May they be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Jews around the world receiving the news, those in Israel just waking up and those in America turning on their phones after Shabbat, felt our hearts break in synchronicity. During the year that these innocent people have been held hostage, among other milestones, Kfir Bibas turned one year old, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Alex Lobanov missed the birth of their children, and Almog Meir Jan’s father died hours before his release. The hostages and their bodies must be released immediately – period. We will continue to support the Israeli people as they, and we, yearn for the return of the remaining 97 hostages, including seven Americans, who remain in the dungeons of the Hamas terror army.
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The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations is the recognized central coordinating body representing 50 diverse national Jewish organizations on issues of national and international concern.
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