Itai Svirsky. Avraham Munder. Yarden Bibas.
Just three of the more than 130 Israelis held captive by Hamas in the ongoing war in Gaza.
After nearly two months of international headlines about the fighting, it’s easy to become desensitized to the situation, some say. But family members waiting for the safe return of their loved ones who are being held hostage are determined to keep their stories in the public conscience.
That’s why family members of Israeli hostages traveled to Los Angeles to share their stories during a press conference on Friday, Dec. 1, at City Hall sponsored by the American Jewish Committee and hosted by L.A. City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield.
Richard Hirschhaut, director of AJC Los Angeles, called the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and the kidnapping of Jews a “gut punch” for the Jewish community.
“The days and weeks that have followed have been a serial nightmare,” he said.
Among those who shared their personal tales of anguish was Ofir Weinberg, the cousin of Itai Svirsky, who was living in Tel Aviv when he was taken as a hostage by Hamas. Svirksy’s parents were killed during the Oct. 7 attack.
Weinberg said the family recently received news, based on reports from other hostages who were with him but have since been freed, that Svirsky is alive, though in a “very bad” state mentally. Svirsky witnessed his mother being murdered, Weinberg said, adding that Svirsky has been in captivity for over 50 days and is now alone after others he was held hostage with were released.
She worries that Svirsky doesn’t realize some of his relatives survived and are continuing to advocate for his release. If he was aware, she said, it could help with his mental state.
“Itai – he’s a man of peace,” said Weinberg, noting her 38-year-old cousin’s work as a mental health counselor.
She pleaded for the public not to let up on demanding that all hostages be freed.
“This is about civilians – civilians being taken out of their…
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