In Times Square, thousands of Israel supporters demand the release of hostages held by Hamas on Oct. 19, 2023. (Luke Tress)

(New York Jewish Week) — Ronen and Orna Neutra told large crowd in Times Square that their son, Omer, had captained his soccer team at his Long Island high school and loved the NBA. They last spoke to Omer on Oct. 6 while he was stationed with his tank unit on the Gaza border and he said he looked forward to a restful Shabbat.

“Omer is now considered to be held by Hamas,” his father said. “Omer, we know that you’re alive and you’re strong.”

“We pray for your swift return,” he said.

The parents delivered the speech as part of a massive “Bring Them Home” rally Thursday evening organized by the Israeli American Council and backed by a range of Jewish groups. Thousands Israel supporters packed into Times Square for the event, bearing Israeli and American flags and photos of the 200 hostages held by terrorists in Gaza.

Additional photos of the hostages were displayed on the LED billboards along Broadway and Seventh Avenue.

Community leaders including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Gilad Erdan, addressed the crowd, vowing to bring back the hostages and defeat Hamas, and leading chants of “Bring them home.” Israeli star Shiri Maimon sang Israel’s national anthem, “Hatikvah.”

“To free the hostages we will persist and persist and persist,” said Schumer, who had recently returned from a trip to Israel.“In every generation they have risen to afflict us,” he said. “But we know in every generation we fight back until we win.”

This article originally appeared on JTA.org.

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