On Wednesday, Joe Biden left for a weeklong vacation in the Caribbean. Less than a day later, we learned that a second American hostage in Gaza was confirmed dead. Israel National News reported that “Kibbutz Nir-Oz announced, that Judi Weinstein was murdered by terrorists on the day of massacre, and her body was held in Gaza for almost three months.”
Judi’s four children and seven grandchildren survive her. She spent her entire career teaching English to children with special needs and attention issues. She also provided support for children who were suffering from anxiety and depression due to the constant threat from Gaza. Gadi Haggai (73), also an Israeli-American and Judi’s spouse, died last week after Hamas took him hostage.
Joe Biden, the White House spokesperson, said: “Jill and I are devastated to hear that American Judith Weinstein was also killed by Hamas on October 7,” reads a statement released Thursday. This tragic news comes on the heels last week of the news that Gad Haggai’s wife, Judith, was believed to be killed by Hamas. We hold Judith and Gad’s four children and seven grandchildren as well as other loved ones in our hearts. I will never forget the experiences that their daughter and other family members of Americans who were held hostage in Gaza shared with me. They have lived in hell for several weeks. No family should be forced to go through such an ordeal. “I reaffirm our promise to the families of all those who are still being held as hostages: We will never stop working to get them back.”
Biden added, “Today we pray for their children, grandchildren, and other loved ones and grieve this tragic news together.” “And I reaffirm our pledge to all families of those who are still being held hostage, that we will never stop working to get them back.”
Hamas has approximately 129 captives in Gaza. 118 of them are Israelis or dual citizens. According to The Wall Street Journal, it is believed that 23 of these hostages died in captivity. Over 100 hostages were released during a previous short-term ceasefire between Hamas, Israel, and other parties. Hamas’s violation of the terms of this agreement led to the premature termination.
Biden was desperate to take credit for the four-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and the release of hostages by Hamas as part of the agreement.
Biden announced that the fighting in Gaza would cease for four days starting this morning. The deal was reached through extensive U.S. diplomatic efforts, including multiple calls I made from the Oval Office to leaders throughout the region. This deal is also structured so that a pause can continue until more than 50 hostages are released. This is our goal.”
He added, “I, with my team, worked round the clock from the moment Hamas abducted these people to secure their freedom.”
Biden’s efforts, however, have not led to any further progress. He has also been criticized for the release of so few American hostages. Abigail Mor Edan (4 years old) was the first American released under that ceasefire agreement. She is also the great-niece of Liz Hirsh Naftali. Liz Hirsh Naftali is a major Democratic donor and Biden campaign contributor.
Biden seems to have lost interest in freeing more hostages since he released the great-niece. Biden has gone on another vacation while Hamas continues to hold hostages.
