'Monstrous': Hear From An Israeli Hostage’s Relative Arrested During Netanyahu’s Speech To Congress

WASHINGTON ― As he flew into the United States to watch the speech Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu intended to give to U.S. lawmakers, Zahiro Shahar Mor was determined not to disrespect America.

Mor’s 79-year-old uncle, Abraham Munder, was among the hundreds of people captured by Palestinian militants during the attack launched by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023. Mor is an active member of the movement of relatives of the hostages taken that day, pushing to keep the focus on bringing them home amid broader debates over Israel’s response.

Mor, an Israeli citizen, said he sees the U.S. as the “greatest hope” for the release of his uncle. But as he watched Netanyahu on Wednesday deliver remarks to a joint session of Congress ― from his place in one of the galleries for guests, a seat he got via an invitation from Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) ― Mor couldn’t help himself. During one of the multiple standing ovations Netanyahu received, Mor stood up and yelled into the House of Representatives chamber three times: “1,400 deaths!”

It was a reference to the initial Israeli estimate of deaths on Oct. 7., which has since been revised to around 1,200.

“It was on [Netanyahu’s] watch,” Mor told HuffPost, that people like his cousin, Munder’s son, were slaughtered.

“It’s mind-boggling” to see U.S. legislators applaud Netanyahu, he added, in his first interview since his arrest. “I know half of the people don’t believe a word he says, but still there’s this equation ― that we must fight ― that if you criticize Netanyahu, then you’re helping the antisemites.”

“I think it’s bullshit: You have to oppose Netanyahu,” Mor continued. “It’s not that you’re an antisemite — you’re truthful.”

Mor said he was approached by an usher after his third