Israel’s U.N. Mission Receives Heartfelt Appeals from Families of Kidnapped and Missing: Their Return is Our Sole Desire

At a packed meeting at U.N. headquarters in New York, Israel’s U.N. mission listened to emotional accounts from families of Israelis, Americans, and others believed to have been kidnapped by Hamas during the recent attack on Israel.

“We have just experienced the darkest moment since the Holocaust,” exclaimed Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan. He added, “Men, women, children, the elderly, and even newborn babies were not spared. Entire communities have been wiped out. The brutality is beyond comprehension.”

The first family member to speak was Yoni Asher, joining virtually from Israel. His wife Doron (who holds German citizenship), their two young daughters, Raz and Aviv, as well as his mother, mother-in-law, and her husband were all taken hostage by Hamas.

“On Saturday morning… I woke up to the worst nightmare of my life,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion as the room fell silent.

“My wife was visiting her mother at one of the kibbutzim while I stayed home,” Asher recounted. “I received a terrified phone call from my wife, hearing gunshots and people entering the house. Later, I saw a video where my wife and two daughters were taken away in a vehicle, and I recognized them.”

“I cannot put into words the feeling of watching your entire family being snatched away from you,” he expressed with despair.

Liam and Alana Zeitchik also shared their ordeal about six family members who were taken hostage by Hamas – Danielle Alony, Sharon Alony Cunio, David Cunio, Julie Cunio, Emma Cunio, and Amelia Alony.

Raquel and Jay Zeichik spoke about their niece Danielle and her family, pleading, “We want them back. It’s all we want. We don’t want war. The world should stand with us,” as they spoke to CBS News.

Rabbi Burton Visotzky shared the distressing story of his cousin, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who was taken captive.

“Hersh had just celebrated his 23rd birthday and he heard about a fantastic dance party, so he decided to join,” Visotzky recounted to CBS News. “As the sun rose, Hamas launched an attack, causing his arm to be severely injured by gunshots or a grenade, and then they captured him.”

“He is in desperate need of medical attention,” added Visotzky concernedly.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., also addressed the gathering, stating, “Let’s be clear, there is absolutely no place for this evil in the world. No justification, no excuse.” She further reassured, “Know that the United States, in close collaboration with our Israeli partners, is taking every possible action to secure the release of all hostages.”

The meeting concluded with the rendition of “Hatikva,” Israel’s national anthem, performed by Israeli singer Noa Kirel.