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Central Park Rally Focuses on Long Island Man Kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th
By David Be Hooren
For the past 275 days, Orna and Ronen Neutra of Plainview, New York, have lived in a state of harrowing uncertainty and anguish, waiting for any sign of life from their 22-year-old son, Omer Neutra, as was reported by The New York Post. Kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7, Omer’s silence has been a constant source of pain for his family, who have not heard from him since that fateful day.
“Nine months waking up every morning, hoping Omer is also waking up too,” Orna Neutra said, encapsulating the daily torment and the unending hope that has characterized her family’s life since Omer’s abduction, according to the information provided in The Post report. The young Israeli Defense Forces tank commander was stationed near the Kibbutz Nir Oz in southern Israel when his base was attacked. Disturbing footage showed the terrorists setting his armored vehicle ablaze and kidnapping him.
Stop shouting at strangers to “bring them home”. Start demanding their governments pressure Hamas to #LetThemGoNOW!
Honored to join Israelis, American Jews and allies in Central Park with the Neutra family, whose son Omer has been a hostage of Hamas for nine months.🎗️ pic.twitter.com/uVMzTpT5iM
— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) July 8, 2024
On Sunday, hundreds of supporters gathered in Central Park to rally for the release of Omer and other hostages still held by Hamas.
This demonstration occurred as Israel and Hamas inched closer to a cease-fire agreement. The crowd’s presence called attention to the broader community’s concern and the urgent need for the hostages’ safe return.
The event saw the participation of numerous supporters, including family members and friends of American hostages currently held by Hamas. The rally’s objective was to pressure both the Israeli government and international mediators to prioritize the release of hostages over ongoing military operations.
Omer is one of eight American hostages currently in Hamas’ custody. His mother, Orna, remains steadfast in her hope for his return. “It has been nine months since the last phone call with Omer from his post,” she told the media.
“I can still hear his voice. I can’t imagine what he is going through, with no signs of life.”
Ronen Neutra, father of the kidnapped Israeli soldier, delivered a poignant speech underscoring the urgency of the situation. “We know we’re fighting an evil, terrorist organization,” he told those gathered in Central Park, according to The Post report. “We know we’ll continue to fight them and the Axis of Evil backed by Iran.”
However, Ronen emphasized that the immediate priority must be the safe return of the hostages. He expressed his frustration with the protracted conflict and the impact it has had on public trust in the Israeli government and military.
Omer Neutra’s journey to military service is marked by dedication and sacrifice. Having been accepted to Binghamton University, he chose instead to join the Israeli military. He was motivated by a deep sense of duty and a desire to protect the friends he made during a military prep program. Omer’s commitment led him to serve as a tank commander in the Israel Defense Forces.
As they continue to advocate for Omer’s release, the Neutra family’s story resonates with many who have experienced similar uncertainties and losses. Their resilience and hope stand as a testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of unimaginable adversity.
The rally also saw participation from friends of other American hostages, such as Afek, an Israeli military reservist, who attended in memory of his friend, Itay Chen.
Omer Neutra’s brother-in-law, Omri Miran, echoed the sentiment that the hostages’ release must remain the central focus of any negotiations. Miran believes that once Omer and the other hostages are safely home, Israel can then turn its full attention to addressing its security concerns and dealing with Hamas, The Post report said.
The rally also saw participation from friends of other American hostages, such as Afek, an Israeli military reservist, who attended in memory of his friend, Itay Chen.
Chen, a 19-year-old American citizen who had joined the IDF, was killed in the Hamas attack on October 7. Afek echoed the Neutra family’s call for prioritizing the hostages’ release but acknowledged the complex nature of negotiating with a deceitful terrorist organization. “Hamas is a terrorist organization and has lied about everything,” he said, according to The Post report. “It’s hard to make a deal with them.” Despite the challenges, Afek expressed hope that the government or mediators would find a solution.
The Central Park rally coincided with significant developments in the conflict. A day before the event, Hamas accepted a US-backed cease-fire agreement, dropping its demand that Israel end the war. However, the Iran-backed group now seeks “written guarantees” that mediators will continue to negotiate a permanent truce during the first phase of the cease-fire. This new demand adds another layer of complexity to the negotiations, highlighting the fragile and volatile nature of the situation.
