Israeli Hostage Omer Neutra’s parents celebrated their captive son’s 23rd Birthday

A “Singing Together for Their Return” event was held last evening (Tuesday, October 29th) at the Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, with prayers for the hostages’ return and the safety of IDF soldiers. The event began with discussion circles where family members shared their stories with supporters who gathered to listen and show solidarity. Among those who addressed the gathering were Ronen and Orna Neutra, whose son Omer marks his 23rd birthday in captivity today, and Ella Ben-Ami, daughter of hostage Ohad Ben-Ami. Education Minister Yoav Kish joined the discussion circles and told the hostages’ families: “Their absence here means we have failed. We are doing everything to bring them back, and there is a real opportunity now.”

Ronen Neutra, father of Omer Neutra in his emotional speech said that: “For us, time stopped on that Saturday, but as a nation, we cannot afford to remain in that place. The healing of our country and rehabilitation of our society depend on the hostages’ return. Omer, on your second birthday in captivity, we miss your smile, your hugs, your love of life and humanity. We fight here and there, because you represent the beautiful Israel, and Israel needs you to recover and return to its beauty.”

Orna Neutra, mother of Omer Neutra in her trembling voice said that: “As a nation, we need Omer and all other hostages back. Our voices call out, clear and strong, demanding Omer’s return home along with all the hostages. This clear voice, like a shofar’s sound, must rise above all surrounding noise. We must remember that the ethos of mutual responsibility, of leaving no one behind, is the beating heart of Israel. It is Omer’s beating heart, and Omer, our heart, is held hostage in Gaza – we need to bring him home. All of them.”

Ella Ben-Ami, daughter of Ohad Ben-Ami said: “No one prepared me for having a father held hostage by Hamas for a year; no one thought this would happen. When I close my eyes and try to imagine my father now, I picture him dirty, with unbearable back pain, in a moldy tunnel where he’s struggling so hard to breathe that he’s forgotten what it’s like to breathe clean air effortlessly. He must be going crazy from boredom and trying to stay positive – thinking that any moment now they’ll get him out.”