S3 E9. Lishay Miran-Lavi's husband, Omri languishes in Hamas hell

In late December, I met in Tel Aviv with Lishay Miran-Lavi’s brother, Moshe, who was visiting for a few weeks from his home in New York. He has been a prizefighter on behalf of his brother-in-law, Omri Miran, husband of his sister, Lishay, and father to two little girls, Roni and Alma. A few days after seeing Moshe, I drove to meet with Lishay at her home in southern Israel. Omri is not on “the list” of hostages to be released in the first phase of the so-called “deal” with Hamas. This rightly enraged Lishay. She works tirelessly to maintain attention, in Israel and internationally, on the plight of her husband and all the hostages. And she has a lot to say about the erosion of values that have always sustained this beleaguered nation: solidarity and the valuing of human life above all else. In her torment, Lishay questions whether Israel still embodies the ideals on which she was raised.

Now, after the last few weeks of hostage releases —culminating in the macabre theatrics when masked and heavily-armed Hamas thugs tormented three cadaverous male captives last Saturday—there is widespread rage among so many in the civilized world. The hostages are out of time. They are wasting away and being tortured. Starved. President Trump on Tuesday made very sharp comments about Hamas savagery that have ricocheted around the world. If you missed his remarks, we include the most searing in this podcast episode.

Lishay speaks about the agony of uncertainty but also her ferocious love and devotion, as a mother. There I was, a stranger, in her home, asking her all manner of questions that would—in a normal life—be intrusive. But her life is anything but normal, and she will do anything to bring her beloved husband, Omri, home from Hamas hell. Lishay and her family experienced unimaginable trauma on October 7, which she discusses, as well as the enormous effort it takes to push through each and every day. Her determination and composure are heroic. We see these traits in many hostages and family members, but it is no less extraordinary each time. Every day is fraught in a way and to a degree that is incomprehensible.

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Podcast Notes:

Below, we set out a few of Lishay Miran-Lavi’s more powerful “X” posts (although it’s not easy to choose). I suggest you check out her feed and follow her if you do not already. It’s an easy way to support her fight.

October 5: Lishay's One-Year Twitter Post

February 8: Lishay posts about how her daughters need their father, just as Almog Levy - a three-year-old-boy whose father, Or, was released last Saturday, needed his dad

February 9: Lishay's speech at the weekly rally in support of hostages and families at Shaar HaNegev junction in southern Israel

February 9: “X” post about the testimonies of Ohad Ben Ami and Or Levy, who were released last Saturday

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