My ‘Song for the Hostages’: Do you know their names?

Originally published in The Washington Post on October 28, 2024.

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Do you know the names of our hostages in Gaza?

In this divisive time, there is one issue all Americans should agree on: That our hostages should not be forgotten. That every ounce of military, political and diplomatic effort be made to secure their release.

I wrote “Song for the Hostages” for every hostage and hostage family, for those we pray are still alive and for those whose memory we mourn.

I also wrote it to counter voices that inundate us daily from world media, the United Nations, college quads, the halls of Congress and, tragically, even the arts. Voices that echo Hamas propaganda. Voices that rarely acknowledge the hostages.

Though majorities of Americans support Israel in its fight for civilization, over time, silent majorities might become silent minorities. We cannot let that happen.

When cowards clothe their voice, I will not betray you.

When evil takes your breath, I will take your stand.

When you feel you’re lost and drowned …

Hold On.

I will be your strength.

I will say your name.

I will know your name.

The names of our American hostages are Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Keith Siegel and Omer Neutra. We must advocate for their return before it’s too late. The bodies of three others — Gadi Haggai, Judith Weinstein Haggai and Itay Chen — are being held captive by Hamas, denying their families the ability to bury them with dignity. They, too, must be returned. We must also remember Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an American citizen who was murdered by Hamas after more than 10 months in captivity. May the courage of his parents, Rachel Goldberg and Jon Polin, fill our hearts and give us strength.

We all should know who they are, but most Americans don’t. We can change that.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, during the Iran hostage crisis, people across America tied yellow ribbons around trees as an expression of support and remembrance for those held captive. The ribbons became a powerful unifying symbol.

I call on my fellow Americans to support our hostages and their families by posting videos on social media, using the hashtag #LetOurHostagesGo, tying yellow ribbons around light posts, mailboxes and trees across America. Let our candidates for president and vice president lead the way.

May our chorus be deafening.