NJ dad of hostage Edan Alexander takes hope from ‘exciting and disturbing’ video: ‘A sign of life’
The dad of Israeli hostage Edan Alexander of New Jersey says he is hopeful after the new Hamas video of his son — although he admitted the footage was both “exciting and disturbing.’’
Adi Alexander of Tenafly said his 20-year-old son seemed generally healthy and showed courage in the footage despite appearing under duress in what was an “orchestrated” and cruel propaganda video.
“It’s exciting and disturbing at the same time,” Adi told The Post during an exclusive interview Saturday night — hours after the terror group posted the video.
“He looked good. He spoke well. It’s a sign of life,” the dad said of his son’s appearance.
Edan’s mother said at a rally in Tel Aviv on Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called her after the video was released and assured her “the conditions are ripe” to get her son home.
Israel just agreed to a cease-fire with the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon, which some see as paving the way for the Palestinian Hamas terrorists to soon follow suit.
Adi Alexander said the couple’s son looked a little pale in the video but that was likely because he has been held captive underground in a Gaza tunnel for a long time.
Edan was with the Israel Defense Force and stationed near Gaza when Hamas terrorists invaded Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting at least another 250. Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including Alexander and six other American-Israeli citizens.
The Israeli soldier was shown in the 3-and-a-half-minute video, titled “Soon … Time is Running Out,” introducing himself and saying he had been a Hamas prisoner for more than 420 days.
He was later shown covering his face and crying before delivering coerced messages in Hebrew to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump.
But Adi said he saw positive in the video, also.
The fact that Edan noted the Nov. 5 election of Trump showed he was still alive, the dad said.
“He strengthened us to stay strong. He addressed us to stay strong,” Adi said.
Edan mentioned his love for his siblings and grandparents.
“He said in Hebrew he hopes this nightmare will be ending soon.” Adi said.
The dad said he believes that the “Trump effect” — the return of Donald Trump as president — could help accelerate the release of hostages and a cease-fire in Gaza.
“It’s a window of opportunity. Each side needs to take a step forward,” he said. “The US government will be tough with its friends and enemies. Trump is a wild card.”
Adi recalled personally meeting with Trump at the burial site of the late Chabad Lubavitcher leader Rabbi Menachem Schneerson in Queens on Oct. 7, 2024 — the one-year anniversary of the Hamas attack.
“Trump has a very high sensitivity for the American hostages,” Alexander said.
The dad hammered home similar points during a Manhattan rally Sunday morning for the hostages on the Upper West Side by Central Park, attended by about 300 supporters.
“I am not just a father but the voice of my son and the other 101 hostages whose lives hang in a balance. I stand here after seeing my son alive for the first time in over a year thanks to this propaganda video released by Hamas,” Adi said as others chanted, “Bring Them Home!”
“It gave us a sliver of hope and also reignites the urgency of our plea. Time is running out. Edan is 20 years old is a swimmer, a [Boy] Scout, New York Knicks fan,” the dad said.
“Every day in captivity is an eternity of suffering for him and every hostage both physically and emotionally. President Biden, President Trump, Prime Minister Netanyahu, I call on all of you to act. This is not a moment for politics or hesitations. This is a moment of courage, collaboration, and decisive actions.”
The father urged President Biden to negotiate a deal “before it’s too late” and advised Trump not to wait until taking office in January “to make an impact.
“The world is watching,” Adi said.
He said the fate of the hostages particularly rests in Netanyahu’s hands and urged him “not to let this opportunity slip away.
“To everyone listening — friends, neighbors, Americans, and Israelis — please amplify our voices, call on your leaders to secure a deal. call on them to act now. We cannot afford to wait. Love you,” the dad said, as supporters changed, “You are not alone!”
Dana Cwaigrich, an organizer of the rally, said it’s time to bring Edan and the other hostages home.
“Edan came to Israel from New Jersey. He did the most Zionist and courageous thing an American kid could do. He chose to put his life aside and go as a lone soldier to Israel and serve his country, serve his people,” Cwaigrich said.
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, who also attended the rally, noted he has a son nearly the same as age as Edan, “and my heart breaks at the mere thought of what [Edan] and his family are experiencing this morning of all mornings, and I want him to know he is not alone.”
