NJN Welcomes the Return of Edan Alexander

May 12, 2025- Edan Alexander was released from captivity today after 584 days as a hostage. Hamas reportedly agreed to release Alexander – a dual U.S.-Israeli national – following direct talks with the Trump administration. Presidential envoy Steve Witkof told reporters that his release is intended as a gesture of goodwill to President Trump.

New Jewish Narrative celebrates Alexander’s release. We endorse the statement released by his family which described the news of his release as the greatest Mother’s Day gift imaginable. The family also wrote: “We urge the Israeli government and the negotiating teams: please don’t stop. We hope our son’s release begins negotiations for all 58 remaining hostages, ending this nightmare for them and their families. No hostage should be left behind.”

“It is striking that Alexander’s release was negotiated without the involvement of Israeli government officials,” said Hadar Susskind, President and CEO of NJN. “This is a damning condemnation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who seems to have made the strategic decision to pursue fighting over the lives of the remaining hostages.”