Families of Gaza Hostages Appeal for Peace at Interfaith Conference in NYC

Bereaved relatives of Israeli captives plead for the release of their loved ones, urging an end to the conflict in Gaza. The gathering, attended by religious leaders, emphasized the importance of compassion and shared humanity amid the ongoing violence.

In the heart of New York City, an interfaith conference held on Monday brought together the families of hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza with religious leaders from diverse faiths. The event, organized by UJA-Federation of NY, served as a platform for these families to express their plea for peace amidst the ongoing conflict.

Ronen Neutra, the father of American hostage Omer Neutra, spoke with urgency, stating, "It's time to bring this suffering to an end. It's time to work out a deal that will bring our children, our fathers, our sisters, our mothers back and we urge everybody to do everything that they can to press in all directions to bring this deal to fruition."

Aviva Siegel, a former hostage whose husband remains in captivity, expressed her desire for a better life for both the people of Gaza and the hostages. "I am going to stay a good human being. So, I want everybody to be good, and believe that everybody deserves a better life. Also for the people [in Gaza]," she stated.

Among the notable attendees were Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Pearl and Ira Meyer Scholar in Residence at UJA-Federation New York; Rabbi Marc Schneier, President of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding; Rabbi Joel Levenson of the Midway Jewish Center; NYPD Detective Mohamed Amen; Danyal Khan, Deputy Director of the Muslim American Leadership Alliance; Zach Erdem, Restaurateur & Television Personality; and Father Ryan Muldoon, Director of Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue of Archdiocese of New York.

Their presence underscored the shared concern and commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution.

The conference was held in the wake of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirming that four more hostages, taken on Oct. 7, had died while in Hamas captivity. Three of the victims were elderly men who had previously appeared in a Hamas video pleading for their release.

Currently, approximately 80 hostages are believed to be alive in Gaza, along with the remains of 43 others. Protests have erupted in Israel, demanding government action to secure their release. Hundreds of relatives and supporters gathered outside the Defense Ministry and military headquarters, calling for a deal to bring their loved ones home.

Despite President Biden's announcement of a cease-fire proposal, Israel has continued military operations against Hamas, vowing to destroy the militant group. The Israeli leadership has distanced itself from Biden's plan.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of more than 36,000 Palestinians, as reported by Gaza's Hamas-run Health Ministry. Israel has blamed Hamas for civilian casualties, claiming the group operates from residential areas.

The interfaith conference in NYC served as a poignant reminder of the human toll of war and the importance of compassion and unity in the pursuit of peace. The families of the hostages expressed hope that their loved ones would be released, and that a peaceful solution could be found.