“You’re not hostages anymore, today you’re heroes.”
By United with Israel Staff
A little over a month after their release from Hamas captivity, 17 former hostages and their family members gathered at the White House on Thursday for an emotional meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Addressing them, Trump said, “You’re not hostages anymore, today you’re heroes.”
One of the most moving moments of the evening came when President Trump spoke directly to Matan Angrest, reflecting on the abuse he endured in captivity.
“Because he was a soldier, Matan was subjected to severe violence by his captors, to the point that he lost consciousness. He went through real hell. But Matan did not break, and today he is living proof of the resilience of the Jewish people. Matan, you are a true inspiration to all of us,” Trump said.
Later in the evening, Trump personally presented each of the former hostages with the presidential challenge coin.
President Trump personally gives each freed Israeli hostage his presidential challenge coin ❤️ pic.twitter.com/fmVwKo4ERT
— Margo Martin (@MargoMartin47) November 20, 2025
For the survivors, the gathering marked a moment of closure and deep gratitude for the efforts that led to their return home.
Twins Gali and Ziv Berman presented Trump with a mezuzah taken from the doorway of the room from which they were abducted in Kibbutz Kfar Aza. Before the meeting, their family attached a personal letter to the mezuzah, which read:
“A gift from Kfar Aza, in honor of President of the United States Donald J. Trump. This mezuzah was lovingly removed from Gali’s bedroom door in our home in Kibbutz Kfar Aza, a community that endured unimaginable horrors on October 7, 2023. The mezuzah survived. Gali survived. And now this sacred item is being presented to you, for helping save his life.”
Former hostage Bar Kuperstein shared a photo with President Trump on Instagram, writing: “Standing here today is more than a personal moment for me. It is a victory for an entire nation, for faith, for a strong Jewish identity that accompanies me every step of the way. Thank you America. Thank you Donald Trump. And thank you for everything you have done for us.”
Before meeting the president, the delegation also held discussions with senior U.S. officials, including envoy Steve Witkoff. Throughout the meetings, the former hostages stressed that their top priority remains continued diplomatic pressure to secure the release of the three remaining captives still held by Hamas.
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