Dear friends,

We welcome the agreement that has been reached between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of 33 hostages who were inhumanely kidnapped and cruelly held captive by Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza since October 7, 2023. And yet all should remember — Hamas started this war with the horrific October 7 attacks, the most violent act of antisemitism since the Holocaust.

Their apologists in the West excused and encouraged this barbarity and the fact that Hamas, a murderous US-designated terrorist organization, perpetuated a cycle of violence with a deadly impact on the hostages and Israelis, but also on the people of Gaza.

This war could have ended at any point, saving countless lives, if Hamas simply had released the hostages.

For over 15 months, ADL has joined the hostages’ family members, friends, and many across Israel and the world in fighting tirelessly and unwaveringly on behalf of the hostages, and today there is finally hope that they will return home.

We are deeply appreciative to all those involved in helping this agreement come to fruition, including President Biden and President-elect Trump, who have long committed to ensure the release of the hostages.

We call on the incoming Trump Administration, and relevant global and regional actors, to make certain that Hamas upholds its commitments and releases all hostages.

We reiterate our pledge to not rest until all 98 hostages held captive in Gaza are freed and returned to their families.

#BringThemHomeNow

Sincerely,

Jonathan Greenblatt

CEO and National Director

ADL