(Courtesy of Rep. Josh Gottheimer’s office) On July 23, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) met with family members of Americans taken by Hamas terrorists on October 7. The meeting was hosted by Representative Brad Schneider (IL-10) and joined by Representatives Landsman (OH-01) and Frankel (FL-22). Together, they discussed the importance of bringing all the hostages, including Americans, home now.
The meeting marked day 291 of their captivity in Gaza by Hamas.
“For nearly 300 days, these families have been living in fear as their loved ones, Americans, remain captured. It blows my mind that this isn’t talked about every single day in this country,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “As a father, I cannot even begin to comprehend what they have been going through; no family should ever have to experience this unfathomable pain. We have to make sure that Americans never forget that Americans are still being held hostage as we speak.”
American hostage family members in attendance included:
- Ruby Chen, father of Itay Chen
- Hagit Chen, mother of Itay Chen
- Liz Hirsh Naftali, great aunt of Abigail Mor Edan
- Adi Alexander, father of Edan Alexander
- Yael Alexander, mother of Edan Alexander
- Ronen Neutra, father of Omer Neutra
- Orna Neutra, mother of Omer Neutra
- Daniel Neutra, brother of Omer Neutra
- Aviva Siegel, released hostage / wife of Keith Siegel (still captive)
- Lee Siegel, brother of Keith Siegel
- Elan Tiv, daughter of Aviva and Keith Siegel
- Hanna Siegel, niece of Aviva and Keith Siegel
- Jon Polin, father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin
- Rachel Goldberg, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin
