450 Days

Our People Have Been In the Dark for an Unfathomable Time.

Originally published Dec 30, 2024. They’re slowly but surely coming home.

I remember first learning about the Iran hostage crisis during the Carter administration.

(Wild that he just passed away. He was president when I was born).

My shock was that it went on so long; that 53 Americans were held hostage well over a year, for 444 days in total. I could not bear to imagine being in such conditions for so long, unsure of my fate, no way to contact loved ones or live my life.

We are a week past that now. 100 Israelis and people of many nationalities have been hostages for 450 days and counting. Like the Carter administration, this Biden administration has failed them and emboldened the Iranian regime.

And the innocent souls held for so long are in far worse conditions. They include babies, the elderly, and families. A report this past week to the UN lays out their torture and sexual abuse. They are underground, in spaces you can’t fully stand, in darkness for over a year.

And dozens have died—executed in front of others, starved, and also this past week—died upon return (a survivor released one year ago in poor health).

Bring them home now. 🎗️

When will anyone but us care?

https://doingjewish.substack.com/p/450-days