Seth Leibsohn: Say Their Names

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“Say their names.” That was the phrase of seemingly innocent people in America killed due to presumptions of racism. “Bring Back our Girls.” That was an international cry that Michelle Obama gave voice to—referring to the young girls kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram, Africa’s version of Hamas.

Brittney Griner, detained in Russia, was the subject of a massive public pressure and release campaign. We heard her name over and over again.

Evan Gershkovich, the journalist, is still imprisoned and we hear repeated statements of support.

And yet: There are American hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza, and have been since October. If their faces and names are posted in public, they are often torn down—something we wouldn’t do with lost dogs.

Daily, we should be saying their names: Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Omer Neutra, Keith Siegel. Let’s remind the nation and the world that American life is not cheap. Look at what Israel was willing to do this past weekend for four Israelis.

What are we doing for five Americans?

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