Schwarzenegger supports families of Israeli hostages – I24NEWS

Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger met on Friday with the relatives of three people kidnapped by Hamas in Israel and currently being held hostage in Gaza, lending his celebrity to support those whose loved ones are still missing following the attack on 7 october. Schwarzenegger offered bronze eagle sculptures to his visitors at the premises of a production company in Santa Monica, west of Los Angeles. In return, the families gave Schwarzenegger “Bring Them Home” dog tags. Declaring himself “a great friend of the Jewish people and of Israel,” Schwarzenegger said he wanted to amplify the message that we must not forget those who are still in captivity.

“This is where my role becomes important. As a celebrity, I have a special ability to communicate with the general public, because the presence of many cameras provides wide coverage,” explained Schwarzenegger, former bodybuilding champion and famous Hollywood actor, whose artistic career was highlighted by his term as governor between 2003 and 2011. Among the people the “Terminator” star met was 27-year-old Bar Rudaeff, whose father, Lior Rudaeff, 61, was captured at Kibbutz Nir Yitzchak. Bar shared that Schwarzenegger was one of his father’s favorite actors. “I have memories of the two of us watching ‘Terminator’ in our living room. I’m sure its return will bring a smile to my father’s face,” Rudaeff said.

Schwarzenegger also had the opportunity to meet Jacob Bohbot, 36, whose brother, Elkana Bohbot, 34, was captured at the Nova music festival in Israel, near the Gaza border. Furthermore, he spoke with Ella Shani, a 14-year-old girl, whose cousin, Amit Shani, aged 16, was kidnapped during the assault on Kibbutz Be’eri, taken to Gaza, and released on Wednesday last. Ella’s father, Itzik Kozin, tragically lost his life in the same attack. The meeting was organized under the aegis of the Museum of Tolerance in Jerusalem.