SWC Hosts Families of Israeli Hostages in Event Co-Sponsored by Israeli Consulate & NYC Council

June 5, 2024

The Simon Wiesenthal Center (SWC) called for the immediate release of all Israeli hostages in an event attended by family members of hostages and co-sponsored by the Israeli Consulate to New York and the Jewish Caucus of the New York City Council.

During the event, which was held in the SWC’s New York City office, family members of Israeli hostages told stories and shared videos of their family members in calling for the release of all hostages. The event was attended by numerous members of the NYC Council including Erik Bottcher, (Co-Chair of the LGBTQIA Caucus), Gale Brewer, Eric Dinowitz (Chair of the Jewish Caucus), and Susan Zhaung.  The event was also attended by numerous relatives of Israeli hostages, who flew in to New York to advocate for the release of their loved ones.

Michael Cohen, SWC Eastern Director, who led the event along with NYC Council Member Dinowitz, said, “The families of Israeli hostages need to know they are not alone.  By convening representatives of the City of New York with the relatives of Israeli hostages, NYC lets it be known that the Israeli hostages are not forgotten.”

NYC Council Member Eric Dinowitz (District 11) said “To the Israeli families of those still held hostage in Gaza: Thank you for sharing the stories of your loved ones. We are reminded that the hostages are our mothers, daughters, fathers and sons, whose kidnapping by Hamas is an unconscionable crime. I join with the families in calling for their immediate release.”

For further information, please email Michele Alkin, Director of Global Communications at malkin@wiesenthal.com or Erik Simon at esimon@wiesenthal.com, join the Center on Facebook, or follow @simonwiesenthal for news updates sent directly to your Twitter feed. 

The Simon Wiesenthal Center is an international Jewish human rights organization. It holds consultative status at the United Nations, UNESCO, the OSCE, the Council of Europe, the OAS, and the Latin American Parliament (PARLATINO).