For Immediate Release

Contact: bowman.press@mail.house.gov 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D. (NY-16) met with families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. 

He released the following statement in response:

“I want to offer my profound thanks to the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza that took the time to meet with me today. I am in awe of their strength, courage, and willingness to share their stories with me. They also impressed upon me the importance of keeping the hostages’ names and their stories at the forefront of our conversations around the conflict. As we consider policy solutions and other efforts to address the ongoing violence, I will remember three-year old Abigail whose parents were killed in the brutal attack on October 7 and who will come home an orphan. She is who I am thinking of today and every day.

As an educator and a father, this is personal to me. I can only imagine the pain and the fear that I would feel if this nightmare happened to my children and my family. We must do everything we can to reunite families and push for diplomatic efforts to bring the hostages home. I am sending them peace and love to their families and loved ones and I will continue to fight for their safe return and make sure their stories are heard.”