CHICAGO – A massive replica of an Israeli hostage’s bloody sweatpants was erected near the Democratic National Convention venue in Chicago Tuesday – while more than 100 hostages remain in the custody of Hamas terrorists.
A 30-foot replica of the bloodied pants worn by Naama Levy – a 20-year-old Israeli whose horrific kidnapping by Hamas was captured on video and became a worldwide symbol of the horrific Oct. 7 attack – was installed at an intersection about a mile away from the DNC.
Alongside the pants, several giant milk cartons with photos of every US citizen still held captive by Hamas lined the sidewalk at the “Hostage Square” pop-up installation meant to keep the hostages in the forefront of Americans’ minds.
Americans Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Omer Neutra and Keith Siegel were kidnapped by Hamas and remain in captivity, though their current status is unknown.
The terror group is also still in possession of the bodies of Judith and Gadi Haggai, and Itay Chen, according to the American-Jewish Committee.
“I want these names to be household names,” said Lea Silvert, whose aunt and uncle were killed by the terror group before their bodies were taken back to the Palestinian enclave.
“I want people to know it is an American value, a democratic value to not want people being held against their will.”
Silvert, 30, said her loved ones Judith Weinstein Haggai and Gadi Haggai lived in Kibbutz Nir Oz, which was attacked by Hamas terrorists more than ten months ago. The Israeli couple left behind four children and seven grandchildren who are heartbroken by their murders and hope to get their bodies home to give them a proper burial.
“They just lived a very peaceful, creative life,” Silvert told The Post in Chicago after she traveled from her home in Cambridge, Ma. “They were a friend and neighbor to everyone.”
The “Hostage Square” installation was erected as the Israel-Hamas war looms over the DNC and the 2024 election while Washington pushes for a cease-fire deal that could lead to the captives’ long-awaited freedom.
Israeli-American Council CEO Elan Carr said in an interview that most Americans stand with Israel. He called protesters causing havoc outside the DNC the “fringe of the American public.”
“We represent the majority view, not these people who are burning flags and tearing things down, and denying students their access to campuses,” Carr said.
“We are here to call attention to the savage cruelty of Hamas, a terrorist organization…Israel is at the frontlines of the war for American values and civilization itself, and Israel has to be allowed to win,” Carr continued. “We are here to say Israel must win.”
Part of Hamas’ savagery was on full display when a video emerged showing Levy shoved into the back of a Hamas vehicle with her hands tied behind her back and a pair of bloody sweatpants on – the inspiration behind part of the exhibit.
Israel’s Ambassador to the US Michael Herzog told reporters Tuesday the Israeli hostages have been held for 319 days, calling it an “open wound” for their loved ones and the nation.
“We are not negotiating with Mother Theresa. We have no illusions but we need to keep the pressure until we bring them back home,” he said.
President Biden laid blame on Hamas for backing off a possible peace deal as he stressed the US and Israel were committed to a truce in the bloody fighting.
The terror group in turn claimed Biden’s remarks “do not reflect the true position” of the dragged-out talks and accused the US of showing bias toward Israel.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken continued his push this week for at least temporary peace in Gaza while achieving a hostage release deal as he traveled across the Middle East.
Blinken warned Monday that the latest negotiations are “probably the best, maybe the last opportunity to get the hostages home, to get a cease-fire, and to put everyone on a better path to enduring peace and security.”
Israel announced Tuesday its forces were able to retrieve the bodies of six hostages in Gaza. Overall, Hamas is believed to be holding 109 hostages as prisoners and about a third of whom are believed to be dead.
Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following the Oct. 7 terror attack — which has killed thousands of Gazans including women and children — is expected to be a strong presence over the DNC throughout the week.
With Post wires
