PRESS RELEASE

Elad Israeli

Date: October 13, 2025

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EMET Marks Release of Last Hostages from Hamas Captivity, Trump’s Historic Knesset Speech

More than two years ago, the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas launched its deadly war against Israel by attacking dozens of Israeli communities – murdering thousands, committing horrendous acts of sexual violence, and taking 251 people, most of them civilians, hostage. Today, the last of the remaining living hostages have returned home. Several of the deceased hostages have been returned as well, as others’ bodies remain “missing” inside Gaza. The return of these hostages marks a solemn end to a struggle shared not just by their families, but by millions of Israelis and those who advocate for a safe and secure Israel worldwide, including EMET.

It is only today, as the last of these hostages comes home, that we can say that Hamas’s attack on Israel, which began on October 7^th, 2023, has come to an end. For more than two years, EMET has been advocating relentlessly for Israel’s right to respond to this attack, to fight for the release of all hostages taken, and to pursue a future where no group is capable of committing such atrocities. The deadliest attack on Jewish people since the Holocaust, and the deadliest attack on the Jewish homeland since biblical times, was nothing if not a major call to action.

Also today, President’ Trump landed in Israel where he gave a historic speech at the Knesset. The President’s words offered hope for millions of Israelis of a bright future, not just for Israel, but for the entire Middle East. The President’s promise of “never forget and never again” echoed as a reminder of the special bond shared by the US and Israel. The speech outlined the shift we hope to see take place in the region, with American leadership – from war and despair to peach, hope and new opportunities.

These last two years have been transformative for the entire Middle East. From the dismantling of Hezbollah’s infrastructure and military capabilities in Lebanon, to Iran’s nuclear sites; from battling the Houthi stranglehold of Red Sea passageways to supporting smart diplomacy vis-à-vis Syria’s new government, we’ve been present on every front, advocating for smart and informed policies that reflect the values we all share.

Today’s developments close a painful chapter in Jewish history. We take a moment to express profound gratitude to all those involved, chief among them President Donald J. Trump, who ensured this perilous task would be completed. The President’s vision was brought to life thanks to tireless efforts by Secretary of State Rubio, Special Envoy Witkoff, Jared Kushner and countless others. Our thanks also go out to President Biden, whose administration helped secure the release of many of the hostages earlier in the war and, of course, to the many leaders in Congress on both sides of the aisle, who kept the hostages and their stories alive in the minds and hearts of policy-makers and Americans at large.

Now is the time to look towards the future. This war, launched by Israel’s enemies, must now come to an end. Two years of high-intensity warfare have taken their toll not just on Israel’s global standing and its economy, but also on Israeli society which will need to focus on self-healing. At EMET, we’ll be focusing our advocacy on long-term goals: ensuring Israel’s continued safety and security, and supporting diplomacy that works to deliver long-sought peace and stability to the region at large. Now is the time to seize on new opportunities made available through changing realities in the Middle East, in Jerusalem, and in Washington. We look forward to being there, every step of the way.

EMET is a Middle Eastern policy institute that specializes in Israel and the prevention of antisemitism.
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