Ran Gvili, last remaining Israeli hostage in Gaza, featured on 2 Times Square digital billboards
(JTA) — Commuters in Times Square were confronted this week with a new digital billboard demanding the release of the final remaining hostage in Gaza, Ran Gvili.
“Hamas must release him now,” the billboard reads next to a photo of Gvili. “The last Israeli hostage held in Gaza.”
Gvili, a 24-year-old police officer who was killed defending Kibbutz Alumim during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, was one of roughly 250 hostages taken into Gaza.
The billboard, which is part of an effort led by the Israeli Consulate in New York and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, comes nearly two months after all 20 living hostages were returned to Israel as part of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.
Since then, the remaining deceased hostages in Gaza have been returned intermittently.
Last month, the American Jewish Committee launched its own billboard campaign in Times Square that featured a montage of the remaining hostages in Gaza. Today, the display only features Gvili.
“The nightmare isn’t over,” the AJC’s billboard reads, according to a video the group posted on Youtube Tuesday, followed by a photo of Gvili’s mother holding a hostage poster of him with the caption, “A family incomplete.”
Later in the slideshow, the screen displays a photo of Gvili with the caption, “Over two years later, Hamas still holds Ran hostage in Gaza,” before ending with the message, “Bring Ran home now.”
Israel bans mobile phones in elementary schools
(JNS) — Israel will ban mobile phone use by children on elementary school grounds starting on Feb. 2, Education Minister Yoav Kish announced on Thursday.
The policy expands a 2019 ban that prohibited phones during classes. Under the new rules, students cannot use devices during breaks or before lessons. Phones will be allowed only in designated classes with staff approval for educational purposes.
The Education Ministry said the ban aims to help pupils develop social and emotional skills, improve school climate and enable better focus on learning. Officials cited studies on mobile phone impacts and global trends, including Australia’s recent ban on social media for users under 16.
The ministry will implement educational programs and work with parents to promote balanced phone use and reduce exposure to inappropriate content.
In Washington, Rubio and Sa’ar discuss Trump’s plan for Gaza
(JNS) — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met on Dec. 10 with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar to discuss implementing President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan for Gaza and broader Middle East security issues.
The two leaders also addressed situations in Syria and Lebanon during their talks in Washington, according to the State Department, “reaffirming their commitment to close collaboration in pursuit of peace and stability in the Middle East.”
For his part, Sa’ar thanked Rubio “for his support for Israel and longstanding friendship,” calling it a “good discussion on our mutual opportunities and challenges in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and beyond.”
Sa’ar and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) discussed their “mutual commitment” to countering radical Islam and advancing Middle East peace during a meeting in Washington on Dec. 9, according to a readout from Jerusalem.
“Always good to meet, dear friend,” Jerusalem’s top diplomat stated. “We appreciate the Senator’s friendship and unwavering support for Israel!”
The conversation with Graham was one of several diplomatic meetings Sa’ar convened with lawmakers during his Tuesday visit to Capitol Hill.
Netanyahu welcomes chairman of 2028 LA Olympics committee
(JNS) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Dec. 11 in Jerusalem with Casey Wasserman, the chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games organizing committee.
“Your leadership over the past two years makes me proud to be Jewish,” Wasserman told Netanyahu, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The premier thanked Wasserman for coming to Israel and for his “strong support” of the Jewish state, the statement read.
The meeting was also attended by Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar and Olympic Committee of Israel Chairwoman Yael Arad.
Wasserman is also the CEO of Wasserman Media Group, a sports marketing and talent management firm based in Los Angeles.
In October, Indonesia barred the participation of Israeli athletes in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships that took place in Jakarta.
The move has led to an uproar in Israel, leading to the International Olympic Committee, the body governing the Olympic Games, to call on global sports associations not to stage events in the Muslim-majority country.
