The image of Hamas hostage Omer Neutra flashed on the Jumbotron high above the crowd inside Barclays Center this past Sunday.
His father Ronen Neutra, mother Orna and his brother rose from their seats with the fans in a moment of silence for their son and all those in captivity since the war broke out, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver met with the Long Island family still praying for any positive news about the missing Omer. The crowd stood wordlessly as one, much as the family has kept a low profile since the Sept. 7 attack.
But Orna and Ronen Neutra attended a Tuesday night “solidarity” gathering hosted by Friends of The Israel Defense Forces at Chelsea Piers, with both speaking about their captive son and their hopes for his safe return.
“We are heartbroken,” said mom Orna Neutra. “We are worried but we are focused and resilient and doing everything in our power to bring him back. We are grateful for the unequivocal support of the Biden Administration for our personal cause to release the hostages and for Israel in general.”
The Israeli soldier, who turned 22 on Sept. 14 while a hostage, disappeared nearly two weeks ago as war erupted with a Hamas invasion of Israel.
His father said the couple was representing the families of all reported 199 hostages taken during the surprise attack, and noted both he and his wife served in the Israeli army during their emotional appearance before a crowd of close to 1,000 attendees.
“We last spoke to Omer on Friday night October 6,” recalled Ronen Nuetra. “In our last conversation, he indicated he was looking forward to a quiet peaceful weekend after a very stressful month protecting the border. Omer is now considered to be held by Hamas with two additional soldiers that are citizens of the United States.”
Omer, like his parents, holds dual citizenship in Israel and the U.S. He went to Israel after graduating in 2019 from high school, where Omer was an honors student and captain of the basketball team. His father recalled Omer working his way up to the rank of officer, with the young man serving as commander in his Gaza post.
The young soldier was stationed at a small base when the invasion launched and he became one of 14 U.S. hostages. The family had previously addressed the dire situation with a one-line statement: “We ask the Hamas leaders to continue to treat Omer and all the hostages in a humanitarian way in accordance with international war.”
Orna Neutra ended her comments with a message of hope for her son and his fellow prisoners.
“We know that Omer is alive and strong and doing whatever he can to support other hostages,” she said. “We pray together with all the hostages and urge you to continue to do everything that you can do to support Israelis and support Israel.”
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