Ivanka Trump shares message about resilience after visiting Israeli kibbutz attacked by Hamas and praying for hostages at Western Wall
Ivanka and her husband, Jared Kushner, both 42, toured Kfar Aza, a southern kibbutz near the border of Gaza
By Erica Nardozzi
Daily Mail
Dec 21, 2023
Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner, both 42, traveled to Israel on Thursday to visit Kfar Aza, a kibbutz that was devastated by the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7
Ivanka Trump opened up about the resilience of the Israeli people on Thursday after visiting a kibbutz that was devastated by the Hamas terrorist attack.
The former White House senior adviser and her husband, Jared Kushner, toured Kfar Aza, a southern kibbutz near the border of Gaza, where members of the Gaza-based terrorist organization massacred civilians and abducted hostages on October 7.
The couple spoke with residents of the community, as well as border police and IDF soldiers who helped save lives during the attack.
Ivanka and Jared, both 42, also met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and visited the Western Wall in Jerusalem, which is considered the holiest site in Judaism where Jewish people are allowed to pray.
The former White House senior advisor wore a bulletproof vest while touring Kfar Aza, a southern kibbutz near the border of Gaza, where civilians were massacred and abducted
Ivanka and Jared met with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and First Lady Michal Herzog later that evening
The former first daughter took to Instagram to share photos from the somber trip, including images of her and her husband wearing bulletproof vests in Kfar Aza.
Knesset speaker Amir Ohana met the couple when they landed in Tel Aviv early Thursday and took them to the southern border.
Ivanka was dressed in green cargo pants, a white button-down shirt, and white sneakers, while Jared had on a similar outfit.
'As I depart from Israel, my heart fills with a mix of sorrow and hope,' she wrote in the caption of her heartfelt post.
'Witnessing the aftermath of the October 7th terrorist attack, I heard heart-wrenching stories from victims, families, soldiers, and first responders. Their strength amid the despair was profoundly moving and the resolve of this resilient and tough people reminds us that even in the darkest times, hope and goodness are ever-present.
'As so many rise to help, heal, and rebuild, it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of humanity. Tonight and every night I pray for the safe return of all hostages and the healing of each victim and of their families,' she concluded.
Ivanka and Jared met residents who lived in the community up until the attack, The Jerusalem Post reported.
A local named Chen Kotler told the couple that 64 people were murdered and 19 were kidnapped in the kibbutz, saying five are 'still hostages in captivity in Gaza.'
The couple was met by Knesset speaker Amir Ohana when they landed in Tel Aviv early Thursday and were taken to the southern border
Ivanka and Jared spoke with residents of the kibbutz, as well as border police and IDF soldiers who helped save lives during the attack
A local named Chen Kotler told Ivanka and Jared that 64 people were murdered and 19 were kidnapped in the kibbutz, saying five are 'still hostages in captivity in Gaza'
She reportedly gave Ivanka a dog tag inscribed with the words 'Kfar Aza is my home,' telling the former first daughter, 'Hopefully, one day, I can host you in my home.'
The couple also spoke with border police and IDF soldiers who helped save lives during the massacre, as well as members of ZAKA, a voluntary emergency response team.
'Thank you for sharing your stories with us. I just have to say it's very humbling for me to be with you, with the heroic acts that you did,' Jared said during the visit. 'What you did had made a massive difference.'
Later that evening, the couple met with President Herzog, First Lady Michal Herzog, and families of the hostages who remain in captivity.
Jared was dressed in a suit and tie, while Ivanka had on a black and white polka dot midi dress and black pumps.
The mother of three shared photos of herself with the Israeli president and kissing the Western Wall, which she and her family had visited earlier this year.
Kotler reportedly gave Ivanka a dog tag inscribed with the words 'Kfar Aza is my home,' telling the former first daughter, 'Hopefully, one day, I can host you in my home'
Ivanka was dressed in green cargo pants, a white button-down shirt, and white sneakers, while Jared had on a similar outfit
Ivanka took to Instagram to share photos from the somber trip, including images of her and her husband wearing bulletproof vests in Kfar Aza
Ivanka wrote that her heart was filled with a 'mix of sorry and hope' when she left Israel, saying she was moved by the community's 'strength amid the despair'
'Praying for the safe return of all the hostages and the healing of each victim and their families #nothostagesleftbehind,' she wrote on her Instagram Stories.
Located in east Jerusalem, the Western Wall is a section of one of four original retaining walls King Herod built in the first century B.C. to support the Temple Mount.
It is also the only remaining portion of the Second Jewish Temple, which stood in Jerusalem until the Romans destroyed it in 70 A.D.
Ivanka, who was raised Christian, converted to Orthodox Judaism to marry Jared in 2009, and they are raising their three children in the same faith.
Jared also shared photos from the visit on Instagram, sharing a similar sentiment as his wife of 14 years.
'Ivanka and I traveled to Israel to bear witness. It’s important to see with one’s own eyes the lingering effects of the barbaric and unspeakable acts of October 7,' he wrote.
The couple also had a meeting with President Herzog, First Lady Michal Herzog, and families of the hostages who remain in captivity
Ivanka, who was raised Christian, converted to Orthodox Judaism to marry Jared in 2009, and they are raising their three children in the same faith
The mother of three shared a photo of herself praying for the hostages at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest site in Judaism where Jewish people are allowed to pray.
Jared also shared photos from the visit on Instagram, sharing a similar sentiment as his wife of 14 years
'We met with families of those that were [kidnapped], including some still in Gaza. We met with several political leaders who are committed to building lasting solutions to intractable problems. With determination, trust, pragmatism, and creativity, the previously unthinkable can be accomplished.
'We will pray that the coalition for peace, prosperity, respect, and understanding will prevail and create a bright and exciting future for humanity.'
Ivanka publicly quit politics in November 2022, saying she loved her father, former President Donald Trump, but would not be a part of his 2024 campaign.
Donald Trump has also maintained that his oldest daughter and son-in-law would not be a part of his administration if he were to win a second term.
The couple traveled to Israel 'to show their support for its people' and the 'trip was in no way related to politics or former President Trump's re-election bid,' according to a source who spoke with the Wall Street Journal.
President Herzog praised Ivanka and Jared on Instagram for 'standing by the State of Israel in these difficult days, for working for the immediate return of the hostages, and promoting peace in our region.'
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