At Captain Omer Neutra’s funeral, President Herzog praised his heroism and Trump-led diplomacy that returned his body after Hamas captivity.
Israel bid farewell today to Captain Omer Neutra, a lone soldier from New York who was murdered and held by Hamas terrorists for over two years, before his body was returned to Israel through an extraordinary international operation.
President Isaac Herzog delivered a moving national eulogy, speaking not only as head of state but as a voice for the entire Israeli people, expressing reverence, grief, and immense pride.
“Though most of us never met you personally,” President Herzog said, “we all feel you are part of our lives, because you chose us—when you left your home in New York, when you enlisted, and when you fought for Israel. You became a symbol of courage and light to an entire nation.”
Omer Neutra served on the Gaza border and fought heroically on October 7 near Nirim and Nir Oz, facing relentless waves of Hamas gunmen. “You fought with unimaginable bravery,” Herzog said. “You faced a merciless enemy, yet you stood to protect life and ensure that the light of Israel would not be extinguished.”
In a rare and powerful acknowledgment, the President praised the international operation led by U.S. President Donald Trump, crediting him with “unprecedented diplomatic determination” that brought Omer home. “This remarkable effort, together with his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will be studied in history books,” Herzog said. “It reflected the unbreakable alliance between Israel and the United States—two nations bound by faith, freedom, and humanity.”
Switching briefly to English, Herzog’s words resonated deeply across the audience and around the world:
“The international effort spearheaded by President Donald Trump to bring home Captain Omer Neutra and the other hostages was a battle between light and darkness, civilization and barbarism. Those who fight for peace and human dignity must stand together against those who traffic in death.”
He urged the global community to unite behind the return of all hostages still held in Gaza, declaring, “The family of nations must stand with humanity. Every last hostage must be brought home.”
President Herzog also expressed hope that President Trump’s broader vision for Middle East peace and normalization would continue, saying it represents “a path toward stability, progress, and reconciliation in a region yearning for light.”
Turning to the Neutra family—parents Orna and Ronen, and siblings Daniel, Keren, Or, and Leah—Herzog spoke with heartfelt compassion:
“Michal and I have had the privilege to know you, to love you, to embrace you. You are a noble, loving, and inspiring family. The people of Israel embrace you today as their own.”
Captain Omer Neutra, a son of two worlds—born in America, reborn in Israel—has now returned home, draped in the flag for which he fought. His story will endure as a beacon of faith, loyalty, and Jewish unity—a reminder that the light of Israel never dies.
