Updated on January 16, 2025
SAN DIEGO (SDJW) – Reactions came quickly to the announcement Wednesday that a ceasefire deal has been reached between Israel and Hamas to free some hostages from Gaza in return for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. Here in alphabetical order, by organization or individual, are those written statements sent to our news desk.
American Jewish Committee — American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, welcomes the first stage of an agreement that will facilitate the release of 33 of the remaining hostages brutally abducted from Israel during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. It also outlines a path forward to secure the release of all remaining hostages held in inhumane conditions in Gaza and potentially end more than 15 months of war and suffering for Israelis and Gazans.
“While we await the final announcement from the Israeli government, AJC is grateful to the Biden Administration, the incoming Trump Administration, and other global partners for working together to secure the first stage of the agreement,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “We cannot wait to see the first hostages come home to their families, but the critical work to free every hostage – regardless of age, gender, or nationality – must continue. The international community must persist in its efforts to ensure that every hostage is reunited with their loved ones.”
While AJC is relieved by the news of the imminent release of 33 hostages – and remains hopeful for the release of the remaining 65 hostages in the months ahead – we continue to mourn the many hostages who lost their lives on October 7 and during their captivity in Gaza. We also honor and mourn the brave Israel Defense Forces soldiers who sacrificed their lives to help secure their freedom and defend the Jewish state.
Since October 7, 2023, AJC has mobilized its entire global advocacy operation to work toward the release of the hostages. We have worked closely with the families of hostages – many of whom are dual nationals – to facilitate meetings with community and government leaders in the U.S. and worldwide, emphasizing the urgent need to bring home every person kidnapped on October 7. During visits to Washington, D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Paris, Brussels, Rome, and other cities around the world, AJC has assisted more than 50 families of hostages in sharing their stories with more than 200 Members of Congress, media outlets, the State Department, high-level administration officials, diplomats, the ICRC, UN officials, and Jewish communities.
*
B’nai B’rith International — B’nai B’rith welcomes the new ceasefire agreement in the Israel-Hamas war, which includes the initial release of 33 hostages and a limited Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. There are about 100 hostages in Hamas captivity at this time.
The return of all of the hostages—kidnapped by Hamas and held in horrific conditions for 466 days and counting—and the reunification with their families is the top priority. We will not rest until all hostages are home.
Hundreds of Palestinian criminals will be released from Israeli jails in exchange for the Israeli hostages.
On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists kidnapped 251 people and murdered 1,200 others in a horrific and sickening display of barbarism. Hamas gleefully documented the murders, sexual assaults and kidnappings its terrorists perpetrated.
In November 2023, more than 100 hostages were released in an initial ceasefire, also in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
We remain concerned that under the current terms, Hamas—with the assistance of its patron Iran—may be able to reorganize, regenerate and sow unrest in Israel and across the region.
*
Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations –Harriet P. Schleifer, Chair, and William C. Daroff, released the following statement: After 466 days of brutal captivity and over a year since the last hostage deal, 33 hostages are due to be returned home to their families soon. The Conference of Presidents, and the Jewish people at large, greet this news with a mix of relief, heartache, and continued outrage. Relief, because now 33 men and women, will be returned to their families. Relief, because at last those who have died while in the dungeons of the Hamas terrorists will at least be afforded a decent and respectful burial. We know the announcement today of a deal is just the beginning of a process that will hopefully bring home all of the hostages. We understand their release comes at a high price and with that brings uncertainty for Israel. We thank the IDF for their heroism, their protection of the people of Israel, and for safeguarding freedom throughout the region.
For more than 15 months, the Jewish people, alongside the people and government of Israel have fought for the safe return of the hostages kidnapped from Israel on October 7, 2023. American Jews and our allies have protested, put up hostage posters, and attended prayer services. Our labors have not been in vain. We rejoice in the coming release of these hostages, and we salute the courage and resilience of the hostage families, who never lost hope and never tired of their just cause.
But we also cannot avoid our heartbreak. Dozens of hostages died while in captivity or on October 7th, their bodies either returning in this new deal or recovered by the IDF. We can only hope that the return of their bodies to Israel will offer their families a small measure of closure and allow them a proper opportunity for grieving and remembrance. May their memories always be for a blessing and may G-d comfort their families among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem
And outrage—outrage that the plight of our kidnapped friends, family, and community members has too often been minimized and even dismissed. That Hamas was depraved enough to seize —and slaughter—women and children, young and old, Holocaust survivors and newborns. And that so many were ready to excuse and even celebrate such crimes. The stain of antisemitism has rarely appeared so deep and indelible as in these recent cases.
We thank President Biden, President-Elect Trump, and their teams for focusing attention on the hostages’ ordeal and their unwavering demand that our brothers and sisters be released from this cruel bondage. We salute the global Jewish community and our allies for continually holding the hostages in our collective hearts and keeping them in the forefront of our efforts. We again applaud the dedication and grit of the family and friends of the hostages themselves, whose love, solidarity, and selflessness are models for us all.
*
Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America: In response to the announcement of a deal between Israel and Hamas to secure the release of the hostages, Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America, National President Carol Ann Schwartz release the following statement:. “After fifteen months of war, Hadassah welcomes today’s announcement about a deal between Israel and Hamas that paves the way for the release of the hostages in order to establish a ceasefire. We pray that this agreement ultimately leads to the safe release of all the hostages Hamas has tortured and abused in captivity for over a year.
“Hamas started this war and has continually rejected and violated peace proposals and deals. Hadassah will continue to advocate for Israel’s unequivocal right and responsibility to defend itself and its citizens. Our hearts remain with the hostages and their families.
“We are grateful to leaders in the US and around the world who have worked to bring about this framework. We are cautiously optimistic.
“The Hadassah Medical Organization’s two Jerusalem hospitals will continue to be committed to the physical and emotional healing process, including through its newly opened Gandel Rehabilitation Center.”
*
Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-San Diego): “After 15 months of horror, this deal feels bittersweet. Like many Jews, I’m still processing the attack on October 7th that killed 1,200 people, left many more assaulted, raped, tortured, and kidnapped, and sparked a rise of antisemitism and Islamophobia in America and around the world. And like many young people, I’ve been horrified by the Israeli military’s campaign that has leveled Gaza, displaced millions, and killed tens of thousands of civilians. I wish we had been able to get this deal sooner to prevent needless suffering and death – including by using our significant leverage to persuade Prime Minister Netanyahu to prioritize innocent lives over his own political future.
“Looking ahead, we’re in desperate need to repair the damage done to international norms and the United States’ credibility. We also need to ensure that all parties respect and uphold this agreement in good faith. I will keep working until all the hostages are released, a permanent ceasefire is implemented, humanitarian assistance is readily available, and Gazans have rebuilt and have self-determination.”
*
Jewish Democratic Council of America: Since October 7, 2023, we have shared in the anguish of the hostage families as they awaited the return of their loved ones held in Gaza by Hamas. We have met with numerous hostage families and felt their extraordinary pain.
Today, we are relieved and hopeful that the hostages will soon be reunited with their loved ones, and we are praying for their health given the incredibly difficult conditions they’ve endured in Hamas captivity. We also stand with the families whose loved ones are still being held in Gaza, mourn those brutally killed and lost at the hands of Hamas, and will not rest until every hostage is returned.
Reports of the release of 33 hostages in the first phase of this agreement mark a critical step forward, made possible by the tireless efforts of the Biden administration. For over fifteen months, President Biden and key members of his administration – including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and White House Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk – have insisted that any conversation about bringing an end to the war must include the release of the hostages, and today, we are finally seeing the result of those painstaking negotiations.
We thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, and their team for their determined and enduring leadership, support of Israel, and commitment to ensuring the hostages’ release. We strongly urge the incoming Trump administration to follow through on the measurable progress made by President Biden to end the war in Gaza and ensure that all parties honor their commitments. All hostages who have been subjected to the brutality of Hamas captivity must be released, following in the footsteps of the 33 women and children whose imminent return we eagerly await.
*
Jewish Federation of San Diego: Today’s news of the hostage release deal in Israel is both a welcome relief and a sign of much more work to come.
We are especially glad to see that four of the hostages from San Diego’s sister region, Sha’ar HaNegev, are on the list to be released: Emily Damari, Keith Siegel, Tzachi Idan, and Doron Steinbrecher. We hope they return safely.
We also continue to pray and advocate for the release of Ziv and Gali Berman, and Omri Moran, and every single one of the hostages remaining in captivity.
I (Federation’s President and CEO Heidi Gantwerk) have personally met with family members of Emily, Keith, Doron, and Omri, and have experienced firsthand their anguish over these terrible 15 months.
Here is the full statement from our national partners, Jewish Federations of North America:
Jewish Federations welcome news of a deal to release dozens of hostages, create a framework for releasing all the hostages, and allow Israel a path forward to protect the safety and security of its citizens.
Every day for over 15 months, our community has held the hostages in our hearts, wept for their plight, prayed for their safe return, and mourned for those who we lost.
We’ve held close our Israeli brothers and sisters who have suffered, been displaced, fought in reserves, struggled to keep their businesses afloat, and worked to keep their families and communities alive.
There is much work to be done and significant uncertainty ahead, but we are hopeful that the first phase of this agreement will pave the way for the remaining hostages to be reunited with their family, for hostilities to end, and for an era of security and rebuilding for both Israel and her neighbors.
We must also thank President Biden and President-elect Trump, for their unprecedented coordination to bring both sides together to get a deal done.
We continue to monitor the situation and will provide more updates as they become available.
*
Rabbi Hanan Leberman, Tifereth Israel Synagogue, San Diego — For the past 467 days, we have poured our hearts into prayer, advocacy, and action—praying, demonstrating, lobbying, fighting, and mourning—for the safe return of the hostages taken from us by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and other Palestinian factions in Gaza on October 7th. Since that tragic day on Simchat Torah, we have felt a profound void within our souls, as though a piece of our collective heart has been torn away.
Today, we received the heartening news that an agreement has been reached. Over the coming weeks, we anticipate the release of our hostages. We stand at what we pray is the precipice of an end to the unimaginable suffering endured by the hostages, their families, and their loved ones. In our Minyan, we have intensified our prayers, adding psalms to our daily recitations, fervently beseeching that this agreement comes to fruition.
I continue to wear my yellow ribbon as a symbol of solidarity and unwavering hope. We understand, however, that until the last hostage is safely returned, we must remain vigilant. And so, with hope and faith, we lift our voices in prayer to the infinite Creator of the universe, imploring divine compassion not only for the hostages but also for all those who dedicate their lives to defending and protecting the State of Israel.
We recite together:
אַחֵינוּ כָּל בֵּית יִשְׂרָאֵל, הַנְּתוּנִים בְּצָרָה וּבַשִּׁבְיָה, הָעוֹמְדִים בֵּין בַּיָּם וּבֵין בַּיַּבָּשָׁה, הַמָּקוֹם יְרַחֵם עֲלֵיהֶם, וְיוֹצִיאֵם מִצָּרָה לִרְוָחָה, וּמֵאֲפֵלָה לְאוֹרָה, וּמִשִּׁעְבּוּד לִגְאֻלָּה, הַשְׁתָּא בַּעֲגָלָא וּבִזְמַן קָרִיב. וְנֹאמַר אָמֵן
“As for our brothers and sisters, the whole house of Israel, who are given over to trouble or captivity, whether they abide on the sea or on the dry land: May the All-present have mercy upon them, and bring them forth from trouble to relief, from darkness to light, and from subjection to redemption, now speedily and at a near time. Now let us say, Amen.”
As we approach Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, we are inspired by the visionary words of two great dreamers. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. declared, “I have a dream,” and Theodor Herzl taught us, “If you will it, it is no dream.” Tonight, tomorrow, and every day until every hostage is safely returned, I implore you to join us in prayer that through our faith and perseverance, these dreams of redemption and reunion may become reality.
Our sages teach us, כל ישראל ערבים זה בזה — “All of Israel is responsible for one another.” This sacred teaching reminds us that we are not complete as a people until every one of us emerges from the darkness and returns home to safety and light.
*
Republican Jewish Coalition — The Republican Jewish Coalition cautiously welcomes news that a ceasefire agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas that will bring the release of hostages. It has been 466 days of hell for the hostages and their families and 466 days of a terrible war. We hope Hamas will release all of the hostages swiftly and without delay.
The excruciatingly difficult calculations for Israel around getting the hostages back, releasing terrorist prisoners, and other potential details of a ceasefire agreement are matters best left to the Israeli government. We trust that the Government of Israel has done everything possible to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish state and its people, in keeping with its values. The resilience and determination of the Israeli people are truly remarkable.
We await word of the returning hostages and pray for their recovery.
We thank President-elect Donald Trump and his team for helping to move this process forward and for their unwavering support for Israel’s security. President Trump’s pronouncement that there would be “hell to pay” if a deal was not reached for a release of the hostages before he took office on January 20 clearly had a significant impact on closing the gaps to reach this deal.
We look forward to the strengthening of the US-Israel alliance under the incoming Trump administration, which will bring new opportunities to work toward peace, security, and cooperation for Israel and for the Middle East.
*
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism: Our hearts are filled with relief and joy for the planned return of 33 of those held hostage by Hamas. The past 15 months have been an unbearable ordeal for those who were captured and their loved ones, who endured the torment of uncertainty every single day. We are hopeful for their reunion and the love that binds them. We pray for r’fuah sh’leimah, a complete and total healing, of their physical, mental, and emotional wounds.
Our hearts ache profoundly for the families who, after all of this time, will receive the remains of their loved ones. Every family has the right to mourn and to find peace in burial. We pray that those who mourn find some measure of comfort and solace. We also acknowledge the deep pain of the families who are not receiving their loved ones back in this stage and we call upon all those in power to tirelessly work for their speedy release.
We hold in our thoughts and prayers all the families who have lost someone in this conflict. We also pray that this ceasefire will relieve the suffering of innocent people in Gaza and that humanitarian aid will be swiftly distributed to those in need. The pain of war is immeasurable, leaving deep scars that impact lives for generations. We recognize that each loss is felt deeply within our community, and we honor the sorrow that many carry with them.
As previous hostage deals have unfortunately demonstrated, this one will also come with a steep price: Palestinian prisoners who have perpetrated previous acts of terrorism and violence will be released, causing anguish and pain and re-opening wounds for those grieving from prior losses and suffering. Our hearts are with those families at this time as well.
Two of Judaism’s highest values are the redemption of captives, pidyon shevuyim, and the pursuit of peace, redifat shalom. As we move forward, let us be united in compassion and connection. As we await the return of all 98 remaining hostages, we stand in solidarity with Israel.
*
Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Florida):“My heart is full of hope for the relief that is about to arrive for hundreds of Israeli family members and the people of Israel, who have waited 15 months for this day. I am deeply grateful to President Biden and his administration for their tireless work to achieve an agreement to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza after 467 days of unimaginable hardship. This deal is a defining moment for President Biden’s legacy and history will remember his commitment to securing our ally Israel from Iran and its terrorist proxies, returning the hostages, and seeking a just and lasting peace for Israelis, Palestinians and their neighbors.
“Throughout this crisis, I have used my platform to uplift the voices and stories of the hostages and their families, especially those who are Americans. There is nothing we can do to alleviate the suffering these families have experienced over the last 15 months, but I am hopeful that this agreement will bring peace and provide relief for them and allow for rapid delivery of aid to innocent Palestinians who have been victims of Hamas as well. It is now up to all of us, including the incoming Administration, to see this agreement through and ensure that all hostages – the living and remains – are returned to their families along with a guarantee that all parties live up to their responsibilities.
“I hope that this deal can open the door for a long-term ceasefire where Gaza is free of Hamas rule, the beginning of Gaza’s reconstruction, and reinforcing Israel’s security through normalization with Saudi Arabia and joint efforts to counter Iran. I look forward to supporting these efforts as a co-chair of the Abraham Accords Caucus and working with the Trump Administration to ensure complete implementation of this agreement.”
*
World Jewish Congress — After an agreement on the “core elements” of a ceasefire and hostage release deal, Amb. Ronald S. Lauder, president of the World Jewish Congress, released the following statement:
“For 466 days, Israel has endured an intolerable position, forced into a fight not of its choosing but one of survival. The terror unleashed by Hamas on October 7th, should have left no room for moral ambiguity. Yet, for more than a year, the world capitulated to the values of a terrorist organization and failed to act decisively to end this nightmare.
“Today’s announcement provides a glimmer of hope. If the agreement is implemented, 33 Israelis will return to their loved ones. A sense of joy will course through the veins of Israel and the Jewish people worldwide. And still, we cannot and will not rest until every remaining hostage is brought home.
“This is not just Israel’s battle; it is a fight for the values of humanity itself. The international community must keep up the pressure on Hamas and refuse to again allow terror to reign over the Gaza Strip. Only when terrorism is eradicated and the rule of law and decency restored can Israelis and Palestinians begin to live side by side in lasting peace and security.
“Today, we are grateful to those who brought about this agreement, and we insist that it by fully implemented. But we also redouble our commitment to a secure future for Israel and the region. The road ahead is steep, but we are steadfast in our belief that even in darkness, light can prevail.”
*
SDJW staff report