Trenton - This week marks 500 days since Edan Alexander of Tenafly was kidnapped from Israel by Hamas terrorists. The 21 year old United States citizen is currently being held captive without cause in an undisclosed location in the Gaza Strip. It is believed that Hamas is still holding Edan, as well as the remains of several dead Americans. It is known that food, humanitarian aid, and medicine, which are all provided to the people of Gaza by the United States and the international community, does not reach the Israeli and American hostages.

“The members of our Commission are appalled at the failure to protect and recover American and Israeli hostages," said Karin Elkis, Co-Chair of the NJ Israel Commission. “After 17 months, the international community and humanitarian organizations can no longer coddle the criminal gangs that dominate the people of Gaza, terrorize Israelis, and threaten all of our communities. The time has come to do what needs to be done, and pursue the quickest way possible to bring all the hostages home and restore sanity to the region. Tenafly needs Edan home NOW.”

“After waiting 500 days, we are running out of time. We need to bring Edan back home as soon as possible,” said Mark Levenson, Co-Chair of the NJ Israel Commission. “As the Israeli hostages trickle out of the Strip, and hundreds of violent, convicted terrorists are returned to Gaza in good faith, the testimony bravely provided by recovered hostages shows that Edan and his fellow captives are constantly subjected to the most horrific violence, sexual assault, starvation, and psychological torture. Every single day that the United States does not demand of our negotiating partners the immediate release of our people from the clutches of the terrorists, puts the lives of every hostage in danger, including the American citizens who were stolen on October 7.”

On October 7, 2023, Edan was kidnapped, along with over 200 other innocent people, by terrorists from Gaza who illegally infiltrated Israel and murdered over 1200. Since that day, Edan has had no communication with his family, the Israeli government, or the United States government. Edan and his fellow abductees, who are believed to be held hostage in unknown locations throughout the Gaza Strip, have had no contact with or received visits from any international humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations, the WHO, ICRC, MSF/DWB, Amnesty International, or Human Rights Watch, despite the fact that all of these groups are active observers of the conflict in Gaza.

About the New Jersey Israel Commission: The New Jersey-Israel Commission, which operates within the New Jersey Department of State, was established in 1989 to promote the development of trade, culture and educational exchanges; encourage the development of capital investment and joint business ventures; and foster a spirit of cooperation between the citizens of the State of Israel and the State of New Jersey. New Jersey-Israel trade in goods accounted for approximately $1.84 billion annually, and thousands of jobs for New Jersey residents.

About Edan Alexander: Edan Alexander lives in Tenafly, NJ with his parents and two younger siblings. He graduated from Tenafly High School in 2022, where he was a decorated athlete on the swim team. He loves art and music, particularly artists like Travis Scott and SZA. His favorite activities include joining his friends for adventurous outdoor activities, such as skydiving and skateboarding. Following graduating high school, Edan put off enrolling in college, and volunteered with IDF’s Golani brigade as a “lone soldier.” He was stationed at the border with Gaza on the early morning of October 7th, 2023, when his mother last spoke with him before he was kidnapped. He celebrated his 20th and 21st birthdays in captivity on December 29. His current whereabouts and condition are unknown.

Media inquiries: Josh Berliner at the NJ Israel Commission josh.berliner@sos.nj.gov