For over a year, Ronen and Orna Neutra spoke across the country as well as around the world demanding one thing: the return of their son, Omer Neutra.
Omer was believed to be a hostage in Gaza after the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. However, in December, Ronen and Orna learned the worst possible outcome. Their son had been killed in the Oct. 7 fighting.
The IDF confirmed the death of the 21-year-old Plainview resident in a statement. Neutra had deferred his enrollment at SUNY Binghamton to join the IDF after graduating from Schechter School of Long Island in Williston Park.
He served as a platoon commander in the Armored Corps, according to the IDF. While he was thought to be held hostage, there were rallies throughout Long Island and around the world demanding for his freedom as well as the freedom of the other hostages.
During his funeral at the Midway Jewish Center in Syosset, he was posthumously promoted from commander to captain as tributes poured in from across the world, including those from President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
U.S. Rep Tom Suozzi (D – Long Island) honored Neutra, his constituent, with a one-minute speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Nassau County residents, religious leaders, and elected officials participated in the Run for Their Lives: A Global Call for Hostage Release and Honoring Omer Neutra’s Memory on Dec. 10.
Seven different Long Island groups have been holding walks every week since Oct. 7 to call attention and raise support for releasing the hostages, now numbering 101, held in Gaza.
Organizers of the event vowed to continue these events until the hostages–alive as well as the bodies of the dead like Omer Neutra–are released.
Neutra was described by friends and family as someone who was caring and fearless. Speakers called him devoted to the state of Israel. Stories of his friendship, personality, and dedication to his community were shared by funeral speakers.
During the ceremony, Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino called for unconditional support of Israel as well as an immediate return of the hostages currently being held in Gaza.
There were numerous elected officials on stage who did not speak, including State Sen. Steven Rhoads, Town of Oyster Bay Receiver of Taxes Jeffrey Pravato, and several Nassau County legislators. Pravato, whose children attended school with the Neutras at the Schechter School of Long Island in Williston Park, referred to Hamas as “animals.”
It’s been more than a year since the violence on Oct. 7 and what has followed has been only more violence. At least 1,100 Israelis have been killed and 8,730 have been injured, according to Israel. In addition, there are still 101 hostages held in Gaza according to the IDF.
In Gaza, over the same period, at least 45,000 people have been killed and at least 107,000 have been injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Senior United Nations officials have called the situation a humanitarian crisis.
