Yellow ribbons line Plainview streets in honor of hostages held by Hamas

The family of Plainview’s Omer Neutra, joined by religious and elected leaders, placed hundreds of yellow ribbons across Plainview to make sure the world does not forget about Neutra and the other 100 hostages held by Hamas.

Jon Dowding

Oct 3, 2024, 12:49 AM

Updated 60 days ago

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As Jewish families gather to celebrate Rosh Hashana, the family of a Plainview man held hostage by Hamas hopes the world continues to work to free all the hostages.
The family of Plainview’s Omer Neutra, joined by religious and elected leaders, placed hundreds of yellow ribbons across Plainview to make sure the world does not forget about Neutra and the other 100 hostages held by Hamas.
"Omer grew up here on these streets riding his bike here at the JCC,” said Neutra’s mother Orna. “He's truly a Plainview kid.”
For Neutra’s family, this year’s High Holy Day celebrations serve as a painful reminder of the one-year anniversary of Omer’s kidnapping by Hamas.
"It's hard to call it a 'Shanah Tovah', a good new year, until he's back,” said Omer’s brother Daniel Neutra.
As previously reported, Neutra's family says he was serving in the Israeli Defense Forces when he was kidnapped by Hamas during the Oct.7, 2023 attack.
"Nobody should forget about them,” said Omer’s father Ronen Neutra. “It's the highest priority."
The number 362 written on the chests of Neutra’s family is a grave reminder of how many days they have not heard from their son.
"Can you imagine this? We wake up every morning praying that he too is waking up every morning,” said Orna.
On the eve of Rosh Hashana, his family says they pray for the release of all the hostages and for a cease-fire.
"The United States government, the Israeli government and all the free countries around the world need to remember the 101 hostages that are still there and make sure that they come out,” said Ronen.
Daniel Neutra says he just prays he's able to celebrate the high holidays with his brother.