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An interfaith group of Jewish and Muslim community leaders gathered in New York City on Wednesday for a meeting with nine family members of Israeli hostages remaining in Hamas captivity in the Gaza Strip, a year and a half after the October 7th massacre.
The Midtown Manhattan event, which took place just days ahead of the start of Passover, was organized by Sheikh Musa Drammeh, President of Muslims Israel Dialogue, and the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) was represented by Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz.
“Their pain is real, their bravery is immeasurable, and the horror they experienced is condemned, loudly and unequivocally, by more people than they may ever know,” Katz said. “While public rallies and headlines may suggest a distorted consensus, the truth is far different. The diverse leaders here today, gathered in solidarity, are the proof.”
“We are here not only to listen, but to follow their lead,” Katz added. “We are with them wholeheartedly. We feel their pain, and we demand the immediate and unconditional release of those still held hostage.”
Sheikh Drammeh stated, “We were deeply moved by the families’ stories and pleas for help. As interfaith leaders, we recognize the urgency of this situation and are committed to using our collective voices to advocate for the immediate release of all hostages.”
“Time is of the essence,” he emphasized. “No hostage should continue to suffer in captivity. We urge everyone to join us in this effort, to raise their voices, and to demand action from our leaders.”
Former Israeli Knesset member Emilie Moatti, a leader of the Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, commented, “We stand united in our demand for the immediate release of all hostages. We will do everything within our power to ensure that their voices are heard and their stories are told, and we call on all decision makers to take immediate action to secure their freedom.”
Other speakers included American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) President Anila Ali and CEO of Muslim Women Speakers CEO and AMMWEC Board Member Soraya Deen, as well as Dr. Mehnaz Afridi, a professor at Manhattan College, and Rabbi Alyssa Thomas-Newborn.
Ali — who, along with Deen, visited Israel on a CAM-organized solidarity mission of American Muslim leaders last year — recalled, “We went to Israel, to all the kibbutzim, to bear witness to the atrocities, including the sexual violence Hamas committed against innocent Israelis. We had to witness it ourselves because many in our community were in denial about what happened on October 7th.”
“Today, we pray for the release of all hostages and for an end to the war triggered by Hamas’s attacks,” she added. “The suffering of both Palestinians and Israelis must end. That end will come when Hamas is dismantled and Gazans are free to choose better leaders who value peace.”
Yehuda Cohen — father of hostage Nimrod Cohen — was quoted by amNY as saying, “We know he is alive and healthy. We are fighting for his release. As far as I’m concerned as a parent, I have an obligation to secure his life.”
