April 10, 2025 — Washington, DC
Seder Highlights How the Passover Story Relates to the Fight in Ukraine and the Hostages’ Captivity
American Jewish Committee (AJC) was joined Wednesday evening by ambassadors and other diplomats from more than 50 countries, along with U.S. officials and civil society and communal leaders at AJC Washington's 33rd Annual Ambassadors’ Seder. In hearing from both Ambassador of Ukraine Oksana Markarova and freed hostages Keith and Aviva Seigel, the event explored the Passover themes of liberation, freedom, unity, and faith.
“This seder takes place at a pivotal moment for the global community and for the Jewish people. As we continue to fight against surging antisemitism and for the freedom of all the hostages in Gaza, we are also called to fight for democratic values, bolster our alliances and the transatlantic partnership, and stand with Ukraine in the face of Russia’ illegal invasion,” said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. “Brave and bold and principled diplomacy is a powerful weapon against antisemitism and hatred.”
As the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, AJC has sounded the alarm on the many global implications of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s continued illegal war, its efforts to undermine European stability and unity, and its ever-deepening alignment with Iran, China, and North Korea all pose grave threats to American and European interests, democracy, and the Jewish people. The risks of a power axis that embraces the Iranian regime and furthers its ability to jeopardize the security of the State of Israel and the stability of the Middle East cannot be ignored.
Speaking with AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson during a fireside chat, Amb. Markarova said, “In fact, this is our Passover and this is our fight for freedom first and foremost. It’s of course about homes, it’s of course about land – but it’s about freedom. And when we talk about this horrible experience, and also courageous fight, the theme of the message of Passover is actually what comes to mind – not only during Passover – because it is about horrible sacrifices and suffering, but also joy because we know we will be free at the end.”
She concluded with a call for unity, “I just want all of us to be kinder to each other, to support each other. To always keep in our prayers and thoughts everyone who is in captivity in Ukraine and all the people of Israel who are still in captivity – we have to fight for all of them. We just have to stay together, as one big family of those who believe in freedom and democracy.”
Since October 2023, AJC has has been advocating side-by-side with more than 50 hostage families—during their visits to the United States and Europe—to keep their stories front of mind for officials at the highest levels of leadership across society, including with more than 200 members of Congress, multiple national media outlets, the U.S. State Department, major U.S. administration officials, high-ranking diplomats, and faith leaders, among others.
As the Jewish community prepares to mark yet another Passover with empty chairs where the hostages should be sitting at seder tables, Keith Siegel, who was released from Hamas captivity in February, said, “When finally released, I emerged physically broken but having accomplished my mission – my promise to Aviva to survive. I urge President Trump and I urge Prime Minister Netanyahu to pressure, to engage, to get the negotiations resumed, sign a deal, and to bring all of the 59 hostages that are still in Gaza – to bring them home now before it’s too late. The remaining 59 hostages deserve the chance I was given – to heal, to reconnect, to live. For the hostages who were killed, their families cannot begin healing without a proper burial for their loved ones. During my captivity, I spent most of my days longing for my family, wondering what they were enduring and how each day was unfolding for them. Now, my greatest priority is to cherish every minute with them and to fight for the return of the 59 hostages who are still kept captive. I cannot begin to heal until all 59 hostages are home.”
“I was a hostage for 51 days and my freedom was taken away. It was taken away underneath the ground, where I nearly died. It was taken away when I was closed in a room and not able to go to the bathroom or not eat, or drink, or think, or touch, or feel. But now, my freedom is back and I can feel – I can feel Keith next to me,” said Aviva Siegel, who was released in November 2023 as a result of the first hostage agreement. “But with the 59 hostages still in Gaza, all of my happiness and freedom has been taken away and I want it back. I want it back now. I want it back not only for myself, I want it back for the hostages that are still in Gaza, for their families, for the country, for all the Jews, for all the people that care in their hearts. Let our people go.”
In a call to action, Deutch urged, “Don’t forget the plight of the hostages. Uplift their stories. Wear a yellow pin. Demand that Hamas release every single hostage that they’ve held for 551 days.”
Ending on a message of hope, Deutch concluded, “In the Torah, there is a line that is repeated several times in conveying the miracles that led to Jewish liberation from the fist of Egypt: With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Although it is used to describe what God did, its humanized qualities are meant to be a source of inspiration for us all that we can all play an active role in our future. And for generations of Jews facing persecution, this notion has given us hope. It’s been true throughout our history and this moment is no different. Isn’t that what we all need right now? We are the ones who can make miracles happen. We can all be that mighty hand or that outstretched arm.”
AJC is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people. With headquarters in New York City, 25 offices across the United States, and 15 overseas posts, as well as partnerships with 38 Jewish community organizations worldwide, AJC's mission is to enhance the well-being of the Jewish people and Israel, and to advance human rights and democratic values in the United States and around the world.
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