SYOSSET, N.Y. (1010 WINS) – A memorial service was being held Tuesday on Long Island for Omer Neutra, the American-Israeli soldier who was killed by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attack on Israel.
Neutra, who grew up in Plainville, Nassau County, and joined the Israel Defense Force after high school, was thought to be alive before the IDF confirmed Monday he’d been killed over a year ago when his disabled tank was ambushed by Hamas as he tried to defend Israel's border.
The 21-year-old’s parents, Orna and Ronen, had led a campaign to bring him and the other hostages home. In fact, they’d just taken part in a rally in Central Park on Sunday, hours before his death was announced.
Neutra’s family, friends and members of the community were attending his memorial service at Midway Jewish Center in Syosset. The service began at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and is being livestreamed here.
The grief was palpable as Orna Neutra eulogized her son, saying, "For over a year now, we've been breathing life into your being, my beautiful boy, with no physical sign back from you, but with hope and love of so many we kept going and going, keeping you alive. Speaking your name from every outlet and every stage, pushing away any hint off despair. Not stopping to breathe or to take in the deep pain of your absence."
"We envisioned images of your reunion," she said, "focusing on doing, on our fight for your release, and for some clarity in the face of the unknown. And now things are clear, but not as we hoped."
Among the elected leaders in attendance was Gov. Kathy Hochul, who directed flags to fly at half-staff across the state on Tuesday. In a statement, the governor said “this horrific news shakes all New Yorkers to our core.”
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, who also attended the service, said in a statement, "This devastating loss is felt deeply not only by his family and friends but by our entire community."
Neutra’s parents and brother released a statement, saying in part, “It was an unimaginable nightmare to be acting based on the hope that he was alive, despite having little information or signs of life since he was seen on video being taken on October 7th.” Read the family’s full statement below.
The family urged the Israeli government to work with President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump “to use all of their leverage and resources to return all 101 hostages — living and the deceased — to their families as soon as possible.”
As they mourn Neutra, they're also continuing their efforts to bring home his remains, still held by Hamas.
Neutra was born in Manhattan a month after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. The grandson of Holocaust survivors, he attended Schechter School, a conservative Jewish school on Long Island where he was captain of the basketball, soccer and volleyball teams. His parents have said he was offered admission to the State University of New York at Binghamton, but instead deferred, took a gap year and then moved to Israel to enlist in the army.
According to officials, Neutra served as a tank platoon commander in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade during the Oct. 7 attack in which around 1,200 people were killed and another 250 taken hostage.
Of the seven American citizens held in Gaza, three are believed to be alive, while four, including Neutra, have now been confirmed killed.
Full statement from the family of Omer Neutra:
"Over the past 423 days — nearly 14 months — we have been working non-stop doing anything and everything possible to bring Omer home alive. It was an unimaginable nightmare to be acting based on the hope that he was alive, despite having little information or signs of life since he was seen on video being taken on October 7th. Our beloved son Omer was a natural leader who made others around him better with his warmth and ability to engage and encourage others to be their best. He was deeply committed to both the people and land of Israel and immigrated to Israel out of that same deep commitment. On the morning of Simchat Torah — October 7th — he and his team were the first in the line of fire — operating in an isolated, disabled tank — while attempting to defend the border and protect the local residents and workers under siege. We are so proud of how Omer fought to the end. We are grateful that Omer embraced and lived his life in line with the values on which we raised him — protecting the sanctity of life and an understanding of our commitment to one another — but we never imagined in our worst nightmares that we would find ourselves spending this time continuing to fight for him in this way. In the 423 days since October 7th, we expected our leaders to demonstrate the same courage displayed so bravely by Omer and rise to the occasion on behalf of those who were killed and kidnapped, just as our beloved Omer showed until the very end. While we appreciate the support we have received from so many in our community, in New York, in Israel and across the world, the feeling today is very difficult. The grief is heavy. Sadly, time has run out to bring Omer home alive and words alone have no power to comfort. Leadership will only be revealed in actions and results going forward. We call upon the Israeli government to work with President Biden and President-elect Trump, to use all of their leverage and resources to return all 101 hostages — living and the deceased — to their families as soon as possible.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.