The Consul General of Israel in New York Ofir Akunis purchased a billboard advertisement in Times Square in Midtown Manhattan to raise awareness of hostages still being held captive by the Hamas terror organization in the Gaza Strip.
It points out the subpar condition of those who have been released, showing images of the three Israeli men freed on Feb. 8, reminding the international community of “the immense threat that Hamas poses.”
The ad, which a spokesperson for the consul told JNS is slated to stay up for “at least a week,” states “Hamas are savages.” It is accompanied by video footage of the emaciated men—Or Levy, 34; Eli Sharabi, 52; and Ohad Ben Ami, 56—after 491 days in captivity.
U.S. President Donald Trump likened their appearance to that of Holocaust survivors.
“Hamas are the successors of the Nazis. These images are clear and undeniable proof of that. Our forces found Adolf Hitler’s ‘Mein Kampf’ in Hamas headquarters,” said Akunis. “Hamas, like the Nazis, openly calls for, and acts toward, the destruction of the Jewish people. The world must recognize this reality and fight Hamas on every front.”
“Hamas tortured, starved and brutalized the Israeli hostages. Their suffering is unimaginable,” Akunis wrote on its official Instagram account. “The world must know! ‘Never Again’ is now.”