Mario Díaz-Balart U.S. House of Representatives from Florida | Official U.S. House Headshot
Mario Díaz-Balart U.S. House of Representatives from Florida | Official U.S. House Headshot
The congressional bipartisan Latino-Jewish Caucus, led by Co-Chairpersons Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), recently met with former hostages and families of individuals still held hostage by Hamas. The meeting took place to address the ongoing hostage crisis involving American and international captives.
"Como copresidentes del Comité Parlamentario Latino-Judío bipartidista del Congreso, nos reunimos con el exrehén Americano Keith Siegel–quien estuvo retenido por más de 15 agonizantes meses de brutal cautiverio a manos de Hamás, y que finalmente se reunio con su esposa, Aviva, que tambien estuvo secuestrada por más de 50 días," the Co-Chairpersons stated. They expressed relief that Keith and Aviva are now reunited after a long period of separation.
The caucus leaders also listened to stories from other released hostages and families of those remaining in captivity. Among them are Iair Horn, whose brother Eitan remains a captive since their abduction on October 7, as well as Liran Berman, brother of twins Ziv and Gali Berman, abducted by Hamas from their home. They also spoke with Ilay David, brother of Evyatar David, who was taken while attending the Supernova Music Festival.
"Nuestros corazones están con las víctimas del 7 de octubre. Los testimonios de primera mano sobre las horribles condiciones––incluyendo tortura mental, violencia sexual y física––son profundamente perturbadores," the statement continued. The Co-Chairpersons stressed the importance of remembering the victims, asserting that the loved ones of those still in captivity would not be forgotten.
The Latino-Jewish caucus emphasized the need for persistent support and solidarity towards Israel from Congress. "El Congreso debe permanecer unido en su apoyo bipartidista e inquebrantable y en solidaridad con nuestro aliado Israel. Debemos continuar con nuestros esfuerzos para exigir la liberación inmediata de todos los rehenes," they insisted.
Other figures present at the meeting included Alejandro Oxenford, the Argentine Ambassador to the United States, and Dina Siegel Vann, Director of the Belfer Institute for Latino and Latin American Affairs at the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
Alerts Sign-up