Around 100 Senators and Members of Congress Spent an Hour with Families Critical of Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Ahead of His Address to Congress

J Street – the political home of pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans – welcomes the extraordinary and powerful meeting attended today by about 100 Members of the Senate and House with family members of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas terrorists on October 7.

The families traveled to Washington to stress the urgency of securing a ceasefire deal and hostage release deal that would result in the release of their relatives and an end to the war. To a packed room, they shared personal stories of loved ones taken hostage and of how they were let down by their government both before and on October 7. They shared their deep frustration and disappointment with the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and were sharply critical of the Prime Minister’s failure to secure a deal.

• “The Hostage Family Forum urged Netanyahu not to come and give this speech now, at a time when a deal is so close, because by coming here he risks making himself the issue, turning the humanitarian issue of the hostages into a political one and shifting the conversation. We are here to ask you not to let him,” said Maya Roman, whose cousin was held hostage. “I am asking you to focus on the people on the ground, our families and the Palestinian people suffering in Gaza.”
• “Citizens should not have to actively engage in being the voice of their loved ones who are held in underground tunnels. This should have been the first priority of our representatives in the Israeli government and our Prime Minister,” said Efrat Machikawa, who had five family members taken hostage by Hamas. Four have been released, with her uncle still held by the terror group. “Prime Minister Netanyahu is unfortunately failing to represent us.”
• “I’d like to thank our gracious hosts for giving us the opportunity to speak here today and to tell the American public the true meaning behind Netanyahu’s PR trip to the US. Please don’t be fooled by his seemingly decisive rhetoric, the manipulation he practices so well, and his hollow words aimed at getting a standing ovation no matter what,” said Zahiro Shahar Mor, whose uncle is held hostage in Gaza.

More than two-thirds of Israelis believe Netanyahu is not doing enough to secure the release of hostages. His government, dominated by extreme-right ministers, continues to shift the goalposts on what it will accept under a ceasefire deal.

The event was hosted by five senior Members of the House: former House Majority Whip James Clyburn (SC-06), Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Ranking Member Jim McGovern (MA-02), Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39). Among those who attended were former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL). Congressman Clyburn led a moment of silence for all the victims – Israeli and Palestinian – of Hamas’ attack on October 7 and the ensuing war.

The Members described the event as a way – other than listening to the Prime Minister – to demonstrate their support for the state and people of Israel and to hear personally why so many Israelis are critical of the Netanyahu government’s response.

• “They continue to give us all a source of pride and hope. Your voices have been very powerful; the stories you have shared continue to encourage all of us to stay engaged in this issue,” Rep. James Clyburn said, introducing the families.
• “It is vital that the Prime Minister will listen to you, will listen to the families, and the countless Americans who love and who support Israel and want to see a negotiated end to the fighting that makes an enduring peace possible,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro said.
• “They are here to get the hostages home, and that’s why we’re all here,” Rep. Jamie Raskin said. “They’ve been a source of great inspiration, courage and hope.”
• “We are so, so moved by your courage and being here,” Rep. Mark Takano said.
• “We are here to express our solidarity, our support, our love, our prayers. I know how difficult this is but it is really important that you are here,” Rep. Jim McGovern said.

As Prime Minister Netanyahu speaks inside the Capitol today, hundreds of Israelis, Jewish Americans and pro-Israel Americans are protesting outside to demand a hostage release deal, an end to the war, and a free and peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.

“Everyone in Washington needs to look beyond Netanyahu’s spin and political games, and listen to the people like these families who represent the overwhelming majority of Israelis. They want this war to end, the hostages to be freed, and a path charted toward a better and more secure future for Israelis and Palestinians,” said J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami.

J Street senior staff and hostage families protesting Prime Minister Netanyahu’s speech are available for interview. Please contact [email protected].

On Thursday, July 25 at 12pm Eastern, J Street will hold a public briefing responding to the speech with guests including a Member of Congress, a representative of the hostage families and J Street’s Israel Director Nadav Tamir. Register here.