Following the announcement that 50 hostages who were brutally abducted by the terrorist group Hamas on October 7th will be released, Democratic Majority for Israel President & CEO Mark Mellman released the following statement:
“We are relieved that 50 of the approximate 240 hostages who were abducted will be returning to their families in the next four days, during which the fighting will pause. If more hostages are released, Israel will prolong the pause. The hostages have experienced an unimaginable nightmare, and we take solace in their being reunited with loved ones.
“We thank President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and the rest of the Administration for the patient and effective diplomacy that achieved this important result. In the dark days since October 7th, the President has shared our pain, channeled our anger, and reflected our grim determination. The President and his Administration are right that Hamas’ invasion on October 7th was ‘unadulterated evil.’
“While this is an important step, we are mindful that nearly 200 individuals, illegally kidnapped, remain hostages of a brutal terrorist group, and we demand that Hamas release all of the hostages immediately. Hamas does not own these people. They are not objects to be bartered at Hamas’ pleasure. Hamas stole them from their homes, families, and communities, while slaughtering 1,200 others, wounding some 5,000, and raping untold numbers.
“While we mourn the tragic loss of life on all sides of the current war, we recognize that all those human beings would be alive today had Hamas not chosen to launch a murderous rampage. With Hamas pledging to repeat the brutal attacks over and over until Israel is destroyed, we continue to support Israel’s effort to disarm and dismantle Hamas.
“Hamas must be stopped, and all the hostages must come home.”
###