Newsletter
Newsletter Support JNS

Israeli consulate ad in Times Square raises awareness of hostages

“Hamas tortured, starved and brutalized the Israeli hostages. Their suffering is unimaginable,” Ofir Akunis wrote on his official Instagram account.

Hostage Advertisement in Times Square, New York
An advertisement sponsored by the Israeli consul general in New York showing three Israeli hostages who were released on Feb. 8, 2025, which will be on display in Times Square, New York City, February 2025. Source: Screenshot.

A Consulate General of Israel in New York billboard advertisement in Times Square in Midtown Manhattan raises 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 is slated to stay up for “at least a week” according to the consulate, states that “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 Ofir Akunis, the Israeli consul general in New York. “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.”

Izzy Salant is a Los Angeles-based journalist and social media/digital marketing manager at JNS.
“I remain deeply concerned and very troubled by the unacceptable spike in hate crimes, particularly driven by those targeting Jewish New Yorkers,” New York City Council speaker Julie Menin told JNS.
Ambassador Michel Issa warned that implementing the June framework requires careful work to protect civilians.
“The country of Israel joins me in this commitment,” the U.S. president said of the negotiations.
Two members of the trip-hop group displayed an unauthorized emblem during a concert, which prompted a police investigation.