WASHINGTON —
As President Biden prepares for his State of the Union address, hundreds of guests are getting ready to attend the historic night.
Some of the 24 people invited by the White House this year include Kate Cox, a Texas woman denied an abortion, and the Prime Minister of Sweden, which recently got the all-clear to join NATO.
But all 535 members of Congress also get a plus one.
Among the featured guests are 17 relatives of American hostages taken or murdered by Hamas. Congressman Joe Courtney, who represents parts of eastern Connecticut, will be sitting with Jerry Fischer, whose family member was recent released by Hamas after 54 days in captivity.
“The reason why I invited Jerry was on October 8, the day after the terrorist attack by Hamas. He called to say that his cousin Liat Beinin, was one of the individuals who was kidnapped that day, her whereabouts were completely unknown, as well as her husband,” Rep. Joe Courtney, (D) Connecticut, said.
Rep. Courtney and Jerry Fischer worked together to get Liat’s case on the state department’s radar.
“They worked so hard and the art was the last American Israeli released when the last batch of hostages were released, and she was in the last group that was released. And it was really thanks to Congressman Courtney and his chief of staff now, who made this happen, and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it,” Jerry Fischer, SOTU Guest whose cousin was held captive by Hamas, said.
American-born Liat was more than 100 hostages freed by Hamas on Nov. 29, thanks to a temporary ceasefire. But her husband and father of her children had different fate.
“14 hours later, we were informed the death of her husband, Aviv, so this is an incredible emotional roller coaster, Yehuda Beinin, Father of Released Israeli-American Hostage, said.
More than 130 hostages, including at least six U.S. citizens, continue to be held by Hamas.
“We need never to lose sight of the fact that there are hostages who were being held in horrible conditions and are being sexually abused as we speak, Yehuda Beinin said.
In the President’s speech, he is expected to acknowledge the mounting pressure to pause the fighting in Gaza.
“For the hostages, it's all about a diplomatic process. Liat was released at the end of November, because there was a negotiated cessation of hostilities, it was it's hard to call it a ceasefire, because it lasted about 10 days, I think all together. But nonetheless, I mean, that created the opening, so that Leah could return to her family,” Rep. Courtney said.
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.