Rep. Courtney Invites Jerry Fischer as State of the Union Guest
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Joe Courtney announced Jerry Fischer of Waterford, Connecticut as his guest for Thursday’s State of the Union address. Courtney and Fischer worked closely together to ensure the safe release of Jerry’s cousin, Liat Beinin Atzili, who was taken hostage by Hamas on October 7th.
“I am honored to host Jerry Fischer for the State of the Union to recognize his lifetime of service to Connecticut’s Jewish community and his advocacy on behalf of families, like his, who had loved ones violently taken by Hamas,” said Rep. Joe Courtney. “Since his cousin’s safe release, it has been a relief to see her reunited with family and already back in the classroom teaching. Liat’s release, alongside 104 hostages, during the week-long ceasefire in November demonstrates that immediately halting hostilities is the only way to restore a successful hostage release process. I strongly support the negotiated ceasefire that is currently on the table to not only achieve this urgent priority, but to protect innocent Palestinians from additional bloodshed and surge resources to address the humanitarian crisis. Thank you, again, to Jerry for joining me and advocating for the safe return of all remaining hostages.”
Jerry Fischer said: “I am honored to be Congressman Courtney's guest for the State of the Union. I called Joe on Sunday morning, October 8, acutely aware that it was Sunday, and it was early in the morning. He took the call, and after hearing the plight of my cousin and her husband, immediately swung into action. He and his staff worked relentlessly, and with many personal contacts, to make sure that Liat and Aviv were registered with the US State Department and the US Embassy in Israel. Liat's father heard from the US government before he heard from the Israeli government.
“Congressman Courtney personally spoke with Secretary of State Blinken about Liat, and when she was finally released among the last group of hostages to be freed, President Biden called her father, Yehuda Beinin, in Israel to tell him that his daughter had crossed safely from Egypt into Israel.
“A day later, Liat learned that her husband had been killed on October 7, defending his kibbutz. His body remains in Gaza. Liat has pleaded that no Israeli soldier risks his life to try and reclaim Aviv's body.
“President Biden and the US government are working tirelessly to secure another cease fire and arrange for the return of all the hostages. Our government and our Congressman are also working tirelessly to alleviate the plight of the Gazans who are suffering terribly because of the Hamas attack. I hope that their efforts will bear fruit soon and that a realistic path towards a two state solution which will provide freedom, dignity and peace to the Palestinians, and peace and security to the Israelis will soon be realized.
“There are not sufficient words of thanks for the efforts of Congressman Courtney and his staff, the State Department, the FBI, and the US Embassy for their engagement in securing Liat's release, and their ongoing efforts to secure the release of all the hostages still held by Hamas. Be strong and have the courage to carry on!”
Background on Liat Beinin Atzili
Liat Beinin Atzili, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, and her husband Aviv Atzili, an Israeli citizen, were taken hostage from their Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7th. On October 8th, Liat’s cousin in Connecticut, Jerry Fischer, reached out directly to Congressman Courtney reporting Liat and Aviv as missing. Just a few hours later, the Congressman’s office submitted all necessary paperwork to the U.S. State Department to officially file Liat and Aviv as missing . Between October 8th and November 29th, the date of Liat’s release, Congressman Courtney and his office stayed in regular contact with Secretary Blinken, the State Department, and Liat’s family.
Liat was released on November 29th during the week-long ceasefire brokered by the Biden Administration. Unfortunately, the next day, she was informed by Israeli officials that human remains at the kibbutz were matched to Aviv’s DNA, thus confirming his death on October 7th.
Register for the virtual media availability here.
Read Rep. Courtney’s most recent statement calling for a negotiated ceasefire here.
Read Rep. Courtney’s statement on the release of Liat Beinin Atzili here.
Read Rep. Courtney’s statement on the murder of Aviv Atzili here.