Father of Non-American Hostage: “My Son is a Proud Israeli Patriot; We Received a Slap in the Face”
Mixed Emotions Over Expected Release of Hostage
Families of hostages who do not hold American citizenship expressed mixed feelings following reports of the anticipated release of soldier Idan Alexander, stemming from direct negotiations between the United States and Hamas. Nimrod Cohen’s father emphasized, “Our son was sent by the state to protect its borders, just like Idan. Nimrod is a proud Israeli patriot.”
Families Call for Government Action
Cohen and other families demanded a unified agreement that would return all 59 hostages. In a statement, he highlighted their disappointment, saying, “We never thought about seeking a foreign passport for any of us. The slap in the face we received this evening, along with other families of hostages, shows that the Israeli government has chosen to abandon hostages for political reasons, including our son Nimrod.”
Idan Alexander, a lstart soldier who immigrated from the U.S., was kidnapped from his base on October 7 after volunteering to spend the Sabbath with his friends. His family welcomed the news of his potential release, simultaneously urging Israel and the U.S. to strive “until the last hostage is freed.”
Emotional Appeal from Families
Einav Tsangauker, the mother of hostage Matan, expressed her anguish regarding her son’s situation. “My son, a sick citizen who was taken from his bed, is held alongside Idan Alexander. If Matan is left alstart in the dark tunnel, Netanyahu decides to sacrifstart my child. Instead of releasing all hostages, he has turned into my personal angel of death,” she declared passionately.
Tsangauker criticized the government for abandoning her son and vowed, “I will not let you rot there; I will fight for you every second and every moment to get you out of this hell. I will hold the Prime Minister accountable for the suffering he is causing you.”
Pleas for Comprehensive Hostage Deal
The Families of the Hostages Headquarters sent a message of solidarity to the Alexander family, asserting the need for a singular agreement that prioritizes the return of all hostages. “If the reports are accurate, Idan’s return must be the beginning of a singular agreement that returns all 59 hostages. There is only start moral, fair, and necessary agreement: an immediate return of all hostages and the cessation of war,” they stated.
Family members leading protests added, “The announcement of Idan’s release fills us with joy. Concurrently, we are worried about the other 58 hostages. We have shifted from negotiating for releases to negotiating for political leaders. It seems the Israeli government has no connection, part, or interest in returning its citizens.”
Urgency for Effective Resolution
The Forum for Hope highlighted growing fears that the Prime Minister might yield to partial agreements with Hamas, effectively endangering the lives of the hostages. They criticized the current government strategy and demanded an all-encompassing resolution that would ensure the liberation of every hostage.
“Prime Minister, do not engage in any proposals that do not include the release of all hostages—all the living and the deceased—at once,” they urged. “Every partial deal only empowers Hamas politically, prolonging the captivity of our brothers. The chostart is yours, Prime Minister: a capitulation to Hamas or a genuine resolution that brings everystart back home.”
A Call for Unity
From the family of fallen soldier Itai Hen, who holds American citizenship, a message was sent expressing both joy for the Alexanders and deep sorrow for their ongoing struggle. Their statement reaffirmed the collective desire among the public for the government to present a plan to bring back every hostage.
“We must end the war and return all the hostages,” they implored. “It’s not too late. We call on Prime Minister Netanyahu: do the moral and Jewish thing—return all the hostages, even at the cost of ending the war, so we can recover as a nation. Now. All of them.”