FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
ICYMI: PFIZER CEO URGES GLOBAL ACTION FOR RELEASE OF ISRAELI HOSTAGES
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Chairman and CEO of Pfizer Dr. Albert Bourla shared a profound experience at Davos, where he had a heart-wrenching discussion with four Israeli women: two of whom were freed hostages previously held in captivity by Hamas, and two who have loved ones still held by Hamas. The women’s stories highlight the urgency for the release of hostages held by Hamas terrorists who have sexually abused hostages and forced hostages to live in inhumane conditions. The Pfizer CEO called for the release of hostages held by Hamas in a Time Magazine op-ed, which coincides with new op-eds from freed hostages and families of hostages currently held in captivity by Hamas in USA Today, MSNBC, The Globe and Mail, and Daily News.
READ THE FULL TIME MAGAZINE OP-ED HERE
KEY EXCERPTS
- Noam Peri grew up in Kibbutz Nir-Oz, a small, tight-knit farming village. Her 79-year-old father, an admirer of the arts, a dedicated family man, and a steadfast peace advocate, remains a hostage.
- Nili Margalit was taken on October 7. As a nurse, she tended to the wounded among her fellow hostages. What she lacked in medical supplies, she made up for with her compassion. Now free, her heart remains with those who are still in captivity.
- Moran Stela Yanai, a jewelry maker, attended the Supernova music festival to sell her wares and enjoy the camaraderie. Hobbling on an injured leg, a physical reminder of her ordeal, she bravely spoke through tears of the treatment she suffered at the hands of her captors.
- Rachel Goldberg is the mother of Hersh, a 23-year-old man whose arm was blown off by grenades before he was taken hostage. She wears a homemade tag with the number of days Hersh has been held captive. When we met, that number stood at 103.
- These women deserve to be heard. We must heed their call for the release of the hostages. All of us. They must have our active support, and not just for a day, but until all of the captives have been freed. There should be nothing political about this issue. This is about human decency. The hostages are in dire conditions—reports of food shortages, torture, and sexual abuse. As such, every minute counts.
- As citizens of the digital generation, we have the opportunity to raise public awareness, calling for the release of all hostages using the hashtag #BringThemHomeNow. We must rally around those elected officials who are advocating to bring the hostages home. By participating in the democratic process—sending an email or calling our senators, representatives, and the White House—we can give a voice to the hostages.
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