Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp made a promise to stand with the Jewish people and the state of Israel on July 10 when he met with an Israeli whose brother has been held hostage by Hamas for 643 days.
Kemp held a press conference on the steps of the Gold Dome, welcoming Ilay David to recount the story of Evyatar David, one of the Israeli hostages who was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, while at the Nova music festival near the Gaza border in Israel. He has been held by Hamas for 21 months.
Evyatar and his friend Guy Gilboa-Dalal were put on display by Hamas on Feb. 22 “in a show of twisted psychology, psychological terror,” Kemp said, as they watched other families greet their loved ones and return home. The two men were then returned to Gaza.
The terrorists filmed their reactions, forced them to follow a choreographed script, and returned them to the dungeons before broadcasting the video to the world. “Their families have not rested or been in peace for even a moment,” Kemp said.
“Like the other hostages taken by Hamas on the Gaza Strip, they have been held in dark and horrible dungeons for over 640 days, they have been chained, beaten, starved, dehydrated and emotionally tortured,” Kemp said.
“We will stand with the Jewish people and the state of Israel now, and for as long as it takes to end this war and ensure the safety of all Israelis,” Kemp said. “We have your back.”
Since Oct. 7, 2023, when 1,200 Israelis were attacked and killed by Hamas, Georgia has taken measures to protect Jewish people. In January 2024, Kemp signed an anti-hate crime bill. Anti-BDS legislation was also signed into law to protect the roughly $25 million in active Israel bonds owned by the state of Georgia.
The Georgia-Israel caucus was formed. Since before the terror attack, the state has been participating in law enforcement exchange programs with GILEE (Georgia International Law Enforcement Exchange), and members of Kemp’s administration have met with Israeli government and business leaders.
Eden Doniger, general counsel of a global tech company that has North American headquarters in Atlanta, met Ilay David earlier this year. She’s been working with the Miryam Institute to support Ilay’s family, including his mother, Galia, father, Avishai, and sister Yaela, who’ve been traveling the world for almost two years asking for help for Evyatar.
“Thank you for making this cause your cause, and for making our voice your voice,” Doniger told Kemp.
Kemp said the U.S. has a mission to achieve lasting peace and reunite family members. He thanked Consul General of Israel to the Southeast Anat Sultan-Dadon, who is completing her term in Atlanta. Kemp praised her hard work and commitment, stating that “because of you, the relationship between our two peoples is stronger than ever, and we will sorely miss your leadership and your time in this place.”
“You have been an incredible friend to the people of our state. You have been an effective and a passionate leader, someone that Marty and I have had the pleasure of getting to know over the last several years, both in peacetime and war,” Kemp said.