Former hostages praised for courage as Trump condemns Palestinian brutality that sought to break Israel’s spirit.
US President Donald Trump welcomed a group of former Israeli hostages to the White House on Thursday, offering them a deeply emotional tribute and declaring that their survival represents the triumph of Jewish resilience over Palestinian terror.
“You’re not a hostage anymore—today you’re heroes,” Trump told the survivors, emphasizing that their courage has “united all Israelis” and inspired millions around the world. He highlighted the ordeal of Matan Angrest, whose IDF service made him a target for particularly brutal abuse during captivity.
“Because of his service in the IDF, Matan was subjected to severe beatings, sometimes losing consciousness,” Trump recounted. “He went through hell, alone and under special guard. And yet he never broke. Today he stands as living testimony to the toughness, heart, and faith of the Jewish people.”
Trump added warmly, “Great knowing you. You’re a great inspiration to everybody—whether you’re Jewish or not.”
The stories shared by the survivors underscored the unimaginable cruelty of their Palestinian captors—acts of violence meant to shatter Israel’s spirit but which instead strengthened the nation’s unity and resolve. The President praised the survivors for their refusal to surrender hope even in the darkest moments.
To mark the occasion, Trump personally presented each former hostage with a Presidential Challenge Coin, a symbol of honor, courage, and national gratitude.
The event served as a powerful reminder that while Israel continues to confront enemies who glorify kidnapping and terror, the Jewish people’s unbreakable spirit ensures that those who survive such horrors return not as victims—but as heroes.
