President Reuven Rivlin appeared Sunday at a protest held in front of the official president’s residence in Occupied Jerusalem advocating for the release of Ethiopian Israeli immigrant Abera Mengistu who has been held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
According to Hebrew-speaking media Rivlin told the family and its supporters that he was in touch with the family since the day their son crept into Gaza’s borders.
“For almost three years my brother Abera has been screaming ‘save me’ and unfortunately his voice has not been heard. We appeal to President Reuven Rivlin to make use of his status and ties and put an end to the suffering of Abera and my family” Abera’s brother Ilan Mengistu said.
Rivlin answered “I was in contact with the Mengistu family from Day One” after first speaking with Ilan Mengistu Abera’s brother. The president apologized for not adding Mengistu to the conversation when he spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump about the remains of the two Israeli occupation soldiers who are reportedly being held in Gaza by Hamas.
A meeting between the Israeli president and the family is scheduled for Monday.
