Following comments on Sunday in a TV interview by the brother of a recently-released Israeli hostage, Israeli and global media reported that a delegation of freed hostages were heading to the White House on Tuesday at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump.
It appears Trump didn’t get the message.
No such meeting developed on Tuesday, and White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly told JNS that while she was aware of press reports regarding a meeting, there was no such engagement on Trump’s calendar for Tuesday, and the White House was unclear about the origin of the reports.
The White House published Trump’s schedule for Wednesday, which was clear of any public events.
Additionally, organizers of the trip declined to provide information to JNS on Tuesday about the hostages’ planned itinerary in Washington, and would not confirm a meeting with Trump would happen.
Sharon Sharabi, brother of Eli Sharabi, who was freed in an emaciated condition from Gaza last month, told an Israeli media outlet on Sunday that Trump had extended an invitation to Eli Sharabi and other hostages after being shown snippets of his recent interview on Israeli TV detailing his torturous experience in Hamas captivity.
The freed hostages in the delegation to Washington would fly on Israeli-American philanthropist and Trump donor Miriam Adelson’s private plane, he told Channel 12 News.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the upcoming visit when he spoke to Eli Sharabi via telephone on Sunday night.
“I tried to speak with you about 10 days ago and I am pleased that it is happening now,” said Netanyahu according to an official transcript. “I greatly appreciate the bravery with which you have told about what you endured, and it is very important that you also tell this to President Trump,” he continued.
“I wish you a successful trip, and when you return, I would be pleased for us to meet, when it is possible. We embrace you with all our hearts,” he concluded.
Eli Sharabi, Doron Steinbrecher, Keith Siegel, Aviva Siegel, Naama Levy, Omer Shem Tov, Iair Horn and Noa Argamani did make the trip, though a JNS source indicated it was not on Adelson’s plane.
Leo Terrell, a Justice Department official who heads the government’s new antisemitism task force, posted a picture on social media on Tuesday of himself and Argamani, along with talk show host Sean Hannity, in what appeared to be a hotel lobby.
Argamani, along with Keith and Aviva Siegel, were spotted in the chamber during Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday evening. Argamani was a guest of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana), while the Siegels were invited by Republican Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan.
Trump did note in his speech that “we are bringing back our hostages from Gaza,” but did not, despite some expectations, point out any specific freed hostages in attendance.
The Sharabi family had not replied to a JNS query about the matter by time of publication.