When the news broke in early October of 2025 that an agreement had been reached and the hostages would return, it felt like all of Am Yisrael finally exhaled after holding its breath for two long, unbearable years.

Across Israel and around the world, we watched families reunite and wept with those who received their loved ones for dignified burial. In those moments, we were reminded that the bond uniting the Jewish people is not symbolic. It is living, real, and unbreakable.

For me, this moment carried a personal meaning. Among those hostages who returned after more than two years in Hamas hell was my cousin, Avinatan Or, who was kidnapped from the Nova Music Festival with his girlfriend, Noa Argamani, on that dark day of October 7, 2023. Seeing him home again, surrounded by his loving family, filled me with gratitude and reflection on what our people have endured and achieved together.

These last two years have tested us beyond measure, but they have also revealed the true character of the people of Israel. A nation that not only survives against all odds but builds. A strong economy that continues to grow, innovate, and contribute to the world even under the weight of conflict. A people who turn faith into action and unity into strength.

I have seen firsthand the impact of that strength. As Global President and CEO of Israel Bonds, I have had the privilege of meeting with community leaders and allies all united by their belief in Israel’s future. Since October 7, more than $5.7 billion has been invested globally through Israel Bonds. Our investors come from all walks of life, each driven by a shared purpose: to stand with Israel and to strengthen its future.

Israel bonds are not donations. They are investments with strong rates and competitive returns, and each bond is backed by the full faith and credit of the State of Israel, a nation that has never defaulted on any payment of principal or interest. That legacy of fiscal responsibility continues to inspire confidence among investors worldwide. Every bond purchased is more than a financial decision; it is a statement: Israel is not alone. As we look ahead, Israel’s future will be defined not by what we have endured, but by what we continue to build together. Through solidarity, shared purpose, and investments that strengthen Israel’s economy, we reaffirm our belief in the Jewish homeland and in one another.

This moment reminds us that even after the darkest nights, light returns —and with it, the determination to keep building Israel’s tomorrow, together.