Israel's Consul General in New York Ofir Akunis hosted a toast for the Jewish New Year with heads of Jewish organizations in the city, consul generals from several American states, members of the National Assembly and City Council. "Qatar and Hamas are responsible for the safety of our hostages," Akunis said, "We must continue to pressure both to release everyone - and now." Akunis called on world leaders who criticize Israel to "ask themselves what they would do if a terrorist organization invaded their territory, burned entire families, raped dozens of women and kidnapped 251 citizens."