Orna and Ronen Neutra, whose son Omer is being held hostage in Gaza, are at their wit's end. After four meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu last week, including one at the White House with President Biden, they're more frustrated than ever.
"We've become accidental diplomats," Orna told us this morning, just days after speaking at the Republican Convention in front of former President Trump.
"Everyone's saying the same thing," she explained. "Now's the time. We're ready. The army's ready. We need to jump on Biden's deal. The hostages are running out of time." Her husband Ronen chimed in, "Everyone except one person," clearly referring to Netanyahu.
Ronen didn't mince words about their meetings with the PM. "Four times we met him. With families, in Congress, at the Speaker's office, and at the White House with Biden. Every time, same empty promise: 'I'll bring them back.' But when? Alive? He won't say. What kind of commitment is that?"
The couple then shared a bit about their son, Omer. "He grew up in New York," Ronen said. "Moved to Israel out of pure Zionism to join the army. He's the one who rushed to the border in his tank to stop the terrorists. And now Netanyahu doesn't seem interested in getting him out?"
The contrast between Netanyahu and Biden struck them hard. Orna described it vividly: "Biden hugs us, shows real warmth, promises face-to-face he'll do everything. Netanyahu? Cold and distant, right there in front of Biden. No real commitment. Just feels like he's kicking the can down the road, like always."
Ronen believes Netanyahu's playing politics. "Look, we've known from day one Hamas doesn't budge. If you really want the hostages back, you work with that, like in previous deals. But they keep moving the goalposts. It's been ten months! It's clear as day - Netanyahu's stalling to keep his job. Our son? He couldn't care less. It's sickening."
When asked about the possibility of war with Lebanon derailing any hostage deal, Orna didn't hide her worry. "It's a huge concern. For ten months, it's been one fire after another. We need to end this, bring them home, and then deal with the real problem - Iran."
The conversation then turned to recent reports about alleged torture videos sent to far-right minister Ben-Gvir. Orna was visibly upset: "It's appalling. Goes against every Jewish value. Redeeming captives, looking out for each other - that's Judaism. His arrogance, using us and the hostages as political pawns - it's disgraceful."
Ronen didn't hold back on Ben-Gvir: "Is he even Jewish? He should take off that kippah. I'm ashamed he wears one. Where are his values? He's just flexing, trying to look tough. If it was his kid there, would he act like this? Every rabbi says we need to act now. These are lives on the line. They're dying on us. And he's putting on a show? He's a clown. I see real leaders in America. In Israel? Nothing. It's heartbreaking."
The Neutras haven't personally received any information about torture videos, but the possibility clearly haunts them. "We've been living in constant fear for ten months," Ronen said. "It's torture for us, and worse for them - for our son in those tunnels."
Orna wrapped up with a poignant memory: "When we first met Biden and told him about Omer choosing to serve Israel, he said, 'Sometimes I think we raise our kids too well.' I've thought about that a lot. I still can't accept it. Omer did the right thing, out of pure love for Israel. The fact that our government, our Prime Minister, doesn't feel absolutely compelled to bring him and the others home right now... it's just beyond belief."
* Ynet contributed to this article.
