Israeli relatives of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and a former captive were invited on stage with US President Donald Trump Sunday at a post-inauguration rally in Washington.
The parents of American hostages were in the group called onto the stage at the Capital One Arena, as was freed hostage Noa Argamani. Each of them wore a yellow scarf to raise awareness to the hostage crisis. The father of American-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander also wore a red MAGA hat.
Trump shook hands with each of them, and they used the opportunity to thank the president for his efforts to bring the new ceasefire deal across the finish line.
The crowd gave a standing ovation to the families as Trump took the stage and proceeded to give a political rally speech, as the hostages’ families stood behind him.
Apparently referencing the Gaza hostages, Trump announced to the crowd that he would be signing an executive order pardoning the “hostages” prosecuted for their involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection (he indeed subsequently signed an order pardoning more than 1,500 of his supporters charged with crimes in the assault).
After announcing his decision to pardon the “J6 hostages,” Trump turns to the Israeli group and reflects on the ceasefire deal Witkoff helped finalize last week.
“We never stopped praying for you, and we’re so glad that you’re reunited with your friends and families,” Trump says.
Introducing Trump to the crowd earlier, his chosen Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff said the president would be meeting the families privately later that evening.
The hostage families are in Washington to urge the new administration to ensure the nascent ceasefire deal is upheld through all three phases amid concerns that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government will resume fighting after the first phase, preventing the release of the remaining hostages.
Speaking to reporters later in the Oval Office, Trump said he was not confident the deal will be upheld through all three phases.
“It’s not our war. It is their war. I am not confident. But I think they’re very weakened on the other side,” Trump said.
At the Trump rally, Witkoff laid out his boss’s four-pronged approach to the Middle East.
“One: respect for sovereignty. Every nation deserves the right to determine its own destiny, free from the interference of external powers,” Witkoff said. “Two: economic prosperity as a bridge to stability. Through economic partnerships and investment, we can build a foundation for cooperation that transcends historical grievances.
“Three: courageous diplomacy. Real progress requires difficult conversations and bold decisions, and it is through these that trust is built and maintained,” he said.
“Four: reciprocity and accountability. The United States requires reciprocal actions from our partners. We are done carrying the financial burden for nations that are unwilling to fund their own progress. The days of blank checks are over,” Wiktoff said to cheers from the crowd.
“A stable and prosperous Middle East is not an unattainable dream. It is a goal within our reach,” he continued, pledging to expand the Abraham Accords during Trump’s second term.