A call for American Jewish Organizations Leaders

“Israel’s decision to return to fighting takes me back to Gaza—to the moments when I heard explosions all around me, fearing for my life and the collapse of the tunnel in which I was being held,” said Yarden Bibas, the former hostage whose wife and two young boys were murdered by Hamas. Bibas spoke last week, the day the IDF resumed combat operations in Gaza. “Military pressure endangers hostages; an agreement brings them home. I am scared to death for my best friends. I lost Shiri, Ariel, and Kfir…We must stop the fighting and first of all bring everyone home.”

Since the war resumed, recently released hostages have issued heartbreaking statements warning the government of the risks posed to those still in captivity. Many of them expressed disbelief at their own government’s willingness to ignore their testimonies.

In the days that followed, Netanyahu fired the head of Shin Bet and then moved to do the same to Israel’s Attorney General—both dismissals fraught with conflicts of interest. At the same time, Israelis are learning more about the scandal known as “Qatargate” and are stunned to discover that Qatar has hired some of Netanyahu’s closest advisors during this war.

For these reasons, Israelis are overwhelmed with grief, furious, and exhausted. Tens of thousands still take to the streets every week, protesting a government that is eroding the very essence of the country they love. A government consumed with dismantling democracy and the rule of law. A government that disregards the pain of the hostages, their families, and the Israeli people. A government that ignores the foundational Jewish principle of Kol Israel arevim zeh bazeh—responsibility for one another. These protesters have been begging their government to reach a ceasefire deal that will bring all the hostages home.

In their despair, many hostage families have turned to President Trump and his administration, in a sign, perhaps, that they’ve given up on their own elected representatives. Some of the released hostages who have asked to meet with PM Netanyahu were told he has a busy schedule. It is easier to meet the American President, it seems, than the Israeli PM. Even as an Israeli citizen.

After October 7, the American Jewish community stood resolutely with Israel. In an extraordinary campaign, American Jews mobilized to help save the country—raising funds for military equipment and ensuring that displaced families had shelter, food, and clothing. They partnered with Israeli civil society organizations when the Israeli government was unable to function.

From the very first week, leaders of American Jewish groups organized rallies in support of Israel. At those rallies, I realized that I did not need to explain my pain to my American Jewish friends—they felt the same heartbreak. But those events served an even greater purpose: they made it abundantly clear to the Biden administration where the Jewish community stood. Jewish leaders knew that Israel would need unwavering support from the US government, so they raised their voices loudly and clearly.

But where are they now? I can no longer hear them.

Attempts to organize rallies have fallen flat. A year ago, 300,000 people descended on Washingtons march in support of Israel. This year only about 3,000 people showed up.

Could it be that American Jewish leaders have lost their communities?

Polls indicate that the vast majority of American Jews—just like most Israelis—support a ceasefire deal and the release of all hostages.

Israeli soldiers and reservists are exhausted, having fought for months on end. Many now question why is the war still going on. One thing is clear to all: the only way to free the hostages is through a negotiated deal to end the war. Military operations put their lives at risk.

“I’m standing here before you as a hostage who survived and was released in the last deal,” Alex Trupanov said last week as the war resumed. “And I say to you: military action endangers the hostages and harms them directly. I was horrified to discover today that decision-makers have chosen not to listen.”

The Jewish community has been standing with the Hostage Families Forum all along. In a statement on Saturday the Forum said that the only solution is a deal that will end the war and will return all the hostages at once. “Israel will continue wasting times for weeks” the Forum added “which will seal the fate for dozens of hostages – some for death and some for disappearance.”

Jewish communal leaders, where do you stand on this issue? Calling “bring them home now!” is no longer enough. A military operation endangers the hostages. Can you openly call for a ceasefire deal?

It is no surprise that Israelis have lost faith in their leaders who have deliberately sabotaged efforts by the American administration to broker a deal. “I hope the true story of the failed negotiations to release the hostages will one day be revealed,” wrote Jon Polin, father of Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l, in a Facebook post last week. “I continue to believe that the government never gave a sufficiently broad and serious mandate to the Israeli negotiating team.”

The pain in Israel is unbearable. Just weeks ago, Knesset security officers were ordered to forcefully block bereaved and hostage families from entering the “House of the People,” where they wanted to ask for a national inquiry committee to investigate the failures on October 7. A committee that PM Netanyahu refuses to establish. The tears of these devastated, humiliated families were shared by all.

Did you know about that? How is it possible that you remain silent?

As an Israeli-American, a member of both communities, I have one simple request from my Jewish leaders: make it known and clear that you support a ceasefire deal—one that will end the war and bring all our hostages home. Make sure the Trump administration knows where you stand. Make it known that you support special envoy Steve Witkoff pressing Netanyahu—again, if necessary—to sign a deal.

By not speaking out, you weaken your claim of supporting Israel and its people. Speak up, so Israelis know they are seen. Help amplify the voices of released hostages who are calling on Trump for help.

It is not only Hamas preventing a deal—it is also the Israeli government. You must recognize that something is fundamentally broken if hostages remain in captivity after a year and a half in hell.

Now, do everything in your power to make a deal happen.