Press Releases

Pearl River, N.Y. – 10/13/25… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, praised the release of all living hostages held by Hamas, while urging the immediate repatriation of all deceased hostages. 

“This is a day of celebration for families across Israel, the United States, and around the world,” said Congressman Lawler. “The release of every living hostage is a testament to the power of strength, unity, and diplomacy rooted in moral clarity.”

“President Trump and his team — Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Marco Rubio — once again proved that peace through strength works. And by working alongside our greatest ally, Israel, and our Arab partners, we have achieved what many thought impossible,” Congressman Lawler continued. “Thank you to Prime Minister Netanyahu and the brave men and women of the IDF for never yielding to terrorism. Their courage, combined with their steadfast partnership with President Trump and the United States, brought about this outcome.”

“As we celebrate today, we continue to demand the return of the remains of the 28 hostages murdered by Hamas, including Americans Omer Neutra and Itay Chen. Let me be clear: peace can only endure when terror is defeated, and every last hostage, living or deceased, is brought home,” concluded Congressman Lawler. 

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Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.