NSC Spokesperson John Kirby Chokes Up During Hanukah Prayer for Hostages

Photo Credit: Arie Leib Abrams / Flash 90

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby during a press briefing, January 23, 2024.

US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby revealed his emotions Wednesday while reciting a prayer for the hostages at the Israeli Embassy’s Hanukah party in Washington DC.

A public servant like no other. Truly the best of us.

NSC Spokesperson John Kirby reciting a prayer for the hostages at @IsraelinUSA’s Hanukkah reception. He ended with “Am Yisrael Chai.” pic.twitter.com/qhk1RWyyCN

— Shelley Greenspan (@ShelleyGspan) December 19, 2024

After visibly choking up when mentioning the hostages still held captive by Gaza’s Hamas terrorist organization, Kirby ended his prayer with “Am Yisrael Chai.”

It’s not the first time Kirby has choked up over the plight of Israelis, Americans and others targeted by Iranian-backed Hamas terrorism.

“What’s harsh is the way Hamas is using people as human shields. What’s harsh is taking a couple of hundred hostages and leaving families anxious, waiting and worrying, to figure out where their loved ones are. What’s harsh is dropping in on a music festival and slaughtering a bunch of young people just trying to enjoy an afternoon. I could go on and on. That’s what’s harsh,” Kirby said during a November 7, 2023 briefing in response to a question from a Brazilian news reporter.

Kirby is not Jewish. However, he has close ties to the Jewish community dating back to his childhood mentor, a Jewish Little League coach named Dick Mensch, the Jewish Insider reported this past January.
https://jewishinsider.com/2024/01/kirby-discusses-productive-hostage-talks-and-his-own-ties-to-the-jewish-community/

The retired Navy Admiral first visited the Jewish State while in active service. He was especially moved by his visit to Jerusalem, which he said, “shaped a lot of my thinking.”

His subsequent meetings with Israeli leaders likewise had an impact, he said. “When you go to Israel, you feel it, you see it, you see how important security is and why they have to take it so seriously.”