Washington, DC – In response to the long-overdue release of Bar Abraham Kupershtein, Evyatar David, Yosef-Chaim Ohana, Segev Kalfon, Avinatan Or, Elkana Bohbot, Maxim Herkin, Nimrod Cohen, Matan Angrest, Matan Zangauker, Eitan Horn, Eitan Abraham Mor, Gali Berman, Ziv Berman, Omri Miran, Alon Ohel, Guy Gilboa-Dalal, Rom Braslavski, Ariel Cunio and David Cunio, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued the following statement:
“We are overwhelmed with relief and share in the profound joy of the hostages and their families. For more than two years, the hostages endured unimaginable suffering while their families fought tirelessly for their release. The images of the hostages finally reunited with their loved ones are deeply moving and a much-needed reminder of hope and humanity.
We admire the hostage families and their allies in Israel and abroad, whose unrelenting advocacy and perseverance kept their plight front and center for their leaders and the entire world, and we commend the American, Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish mediators whose diplomacy made this day possible.
Our community is also deeply relieved for Palestinian civilians in Gaza – with the war finally over, they can begin to recover, mourn and rebuild their homes and lives.
At this moment of relief, we also grieve with the families of loved ones who will not return today and whose lives have been lost in the past two years of this devastating war.
The successful implementation of the first phase of the US-backed 20-point plan marks a crucial first step toward regional peace. The US and other mediators must immediately build on this progress and work toward implementing the next phase of the plan, including the introduction of an international security force and a new governing body to oversee the recovery of the Strip and ensure that Hamas is disarmed.
This moment will require close collaboration among all international actors looking to build a better future for Gaza and the entire Middle East. We therefore welcome Egyptian President al-Sisi’s invitation to today’s international summit and are disappointed Prime Minister Netanyahu has chosen not to go.
Hamas, Israel and the international mediators must also do everything in their power to locate and return the remains of the hostages who are still missing and provide their families with the closure they so desperately need.”