Congressman Sherman Hosts Mother of Freed Israel Hostage as his State of the Union Guest
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) will attend President Biden's State of the Union Address with special guest: Keren Scharf Schem, the mother of freed Israeli hostage, Mia Schem, who was kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7th attack on Israel and held in captivity for 55 days.
"I am honored to host Keren as my guest where she, as well as our nation, will listen to President Biden forcefully stand up to anti-Israel forces as he reaffirms the United States' wholehearted condemnation of Hamas's horrific October 7th massacre and our support of Israel's right to go after Hamas," said Congressman Sherman.
"As anti-Israel forces attempt to penetrate and muddy our national discourse, President Biden's robust defense of Israel will serve as a powerful reminder to the many families of American and Israeli hostages who will be present for tonight's Address, as well as to the world, that America's bond with Israel stands unbroken, and our commitment to its right to exist remains unwavering."
Earlier today, Congressman Sherman met with Keren Schem and her daughter, Mia, where Mia described her harrowing, 55-day ordeal in captivity by Hamas terrorists. "It was a painful glimpse into the horrors she endured - and a sobering reminder of what the hostages who are still in captivity continue to face every day that Hamas fails to accept a ceasefire deal," said Sherman.
"It's my hope that Mia and Keren's presence at the State of the Union will remind our nation on the urgent need to bring all the hostages who remain in Gaza home – swiftly and safely."
Mia Schem, a 21-year-old Israeli French citizen from Shoham, Israel, was kidnapped by Hamas after fleeing the Nova music festival during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack. Early in the war, Hamas released a video of her in captivity, the first of many of instances where Hamas forced hostages to record video messages for Hamas's propaganda purposes. For the duration of her captivity, she received no painkillers for the gunshot wound she sustained on the day of the attack and had to replace her own bandages, all while being forced to share a room with her captor.
Mia was ultimately released in late November during a brief truce between Israel and Hamas. Now at home, she has struggled to cope with her experience in Gaza and with leaving other hostages behind. "I can't get it out of my head," she told Israeli television.
Mia's recount of the horrors one endured in Hamas's captivity serves as a stark reminder to the world of the dire need to bring every hostage home. The world must come together and demand that Hamas accept the ceasefire negotiations that would bring home American and Israeli hostages and secure a ceasefire for the month of Ramadan.
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