Noa Argamani became a symbol of the October 7 attacks after harrowing footage of her abduction by Hamas terrorists went viral.
The distressing video showed Noa being forcibly taken away on a motorcycle from the Supernova music festival, screaming for mercy. This heart-wrenching imagery quickly captured global attention, emphasizing the human toll of the conflict and making her one of the most recognizable faces among the hostages taken that day.
Advertisement
Argamani’s captivity lasted 245 days – just over eight months – during which her image continued to evoke strong emotional responses worldwide. Her dramatic rescue by Israeli forces on June 8, 2024, further solidified her status as a symbol of resilience and hope amid the brutal conflict.
Recently rescued from the horrors of Hamas captivity, Argamani’s decision to accompany Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington on Monday has sparked a fiery debate.
Critics accuse her of being a pawn in a political game, but this perspective overlooks a fundamental truth: Argamani, above all, deserves the autonomy to make her own decisions.
Advertisement
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarks on his upcoming US visit at Ben-Gurion Airport. July 22, 2024. (credit: AMOS BEN-GERSHOM/GPO)
Among the harsh criticisms, journalist Uri Misgav wrote, “Noa Argamani and her father should be ashamed until their last day for agreeing to serve as a backdrop for this crazy and smiling couple’s flight, especially on the morning we learned of two more captives who were unlucky enough to die in captivity and not fly to Washington with the captives’ abandoner. A shame like no other.”
Overlooking Argamani’s personal struggle
Another critic, veteran journalist Dan Margalit, echoed these sentiments, posting on X, “Joining Uri Misgav, shame on Noa Argamani and her father for willingly serving as a backdrop for Bibi’s display in Washington.”
Advertisement
To those who criticize Argamani’s participation in Netanyahu’s trip, we pose this question: Who are we to judge? The ordeal of captivity is unimaginable. The trauma, the constant fear, and the longing for freedom are experiences that no one can fully comprehend unless they have walked in those shoes. For Argamani, every decision she makes now is deeply personal and rooted in her quest for meaning and justice for the hostages still languishing in Gaza – and for her own recovery.
It is important to recognize the historical significance of this trip. The potential outcome – the release of 120 hostages – cannot be understated. Argamani’s presence is not just symbolic; it is a powerful reminder of the human lives at stake. Critics argue that she is being used by Netanyahu, but even if there is a political undertone, the ultimate goal remains noble. The liberation of hostages should transcend political divides and be a cause that unites us all.
Argamani’s critics should also consider the broader implications of their attacks. Unity, especially in times of conflict, is paramount. The venomous words directed at her serve only to deepen divisions and detract from the collective goal of securing the release of all hostages. Instead of tearing down a survivor who has already endured so much, we should rally behind her, offering support and solidarity.
Advertisement
Moreover, Argamani’s decision to join this trip is not just about politics; it is about leveraging every possible platform to advocate for those still in captivity. Her boyfriend remains among the hostages. Her presence in Washington is an opportunity to amplify her plea for their release. It is a chance for her to speak directly to those in power, to ensure that the plight of the hostages is not forgotten amidst political maneuvering.
The criticism leveled against Argamani is not just unfair; it is a reflection of a broader societal issue. It is far too easy to sit in judgment, to cast aspersions from the comfort of detached observation. But true empathy requires us to support those who have suffered, to uplift their voices rather than silence them with criticism.
Advertisement
Argamani has the right to make her own choices. She has earned that right through unimaginable suffering and resilience. Let us respect her decisions, whether or not we agree with them, and recognize that she, more than anyone, understands the stakes involved.
Walla News journalist Liat Ron summarized this situation in the most blunt and direct way: “The hostages and their families are allowed to do anything, and we all need to shut up.”
Juvenile curfew order was imposed in Washington DC on Saturday after Halloween evening misbehaviour. Executive Office of Washington DC Mayor on November 1 announced restrictions on movement of those below 18 during nighttime over the next few days, in the wake of disorderly behaviour in the past weeks.
The decision follows Halloween-related incidents where young people engaged in brawling, blocked streets and endangered public safety. “The behavior on Halloween evening – which included young people brawling, blocking streets, and moving into commercial establishments in large groups, endangering both themselves and others in the area – follows several weekends of similar behavior by youth in neighborhoods across the District,” the notice issued by Mayor Muriel Bowser states.
Curfew time: From 11:00 PM till 6:00 AM
Curfew last date: November 5
‘All juveniles are subject to a curfew’
Muriel Bowser in a post on X stated, “We are declaring a limited juvenile curfew in Washington, DC. Effective immediately, all juveniles under the age of 18 are subject to a curfew from 11PM until 6AM, which will extend through 11/5.”
Clarifying the reason for the curfew, Muriel Bowser added, “This is in response to several weeks of disorderly juvenile behavior which endangered both themselves and others.”
Advertisement
This comes after five youth were arrested on October 31 by the police and one officer suffered minor injuries. Besides the curfew, the police will designate special zones which are at high risk for disorderly conduct. These locations will have longer curfew times, beginning as early as 6:00 PM.
Furthermore, the notice warns the youths against declaration of temporary curfew zone in case of a group gathering of more than seven youth citing threat to “safety of the youth, residents, or the public.”
List of Special Juvenile Curfew Zones
On Saturday night, Chief of Police Pamela A Smith announced several of the above mentioned “Special Juvenile Curfew Zones” as specified here:
Navy Yard
near the U Street Coridor
Banneker Recreation Center near Howard University
Union Station
The Navy Yard juvenile curfew zones covers the stretch between Interstate 695 and the Anacostia River on the north and south. It covers the area between 8th Street SE in the east and South Capitol in the west, FOX5 reported
The designated zone near the U Street Corridor covers the stretch between 9th Street NW and Florida Avenue in the east and 15th Street from T Street to V Street NW in the west. It covers the area between V Street and Vermont Avenue NW in the north and T Street NW in the south.
The zone at Banneker Recreation Center stretches between Georgia Avenue NW and 9th Street NW to the east and west. It covers the area between Euclid Street NW and W Street NW to the north and south.
Advertisement
The zone at Union Station covers the stretch 3rd Street NE and North Capitol Street NE to the east and west. It covers the area between H Street NE and D Street NE to the north and south.
The judges ruled in favor of local officials who sought to force the federal government to keep the SNAP program running in November.
Volunteers, many of whom use the food bank, hand out food to clients at the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Northeast Emergency Food Program in Portland, Ore., on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.
Eli Imadali / OPB
Advertisement
Two federal judges on Friday ordered the Trump administration to use emergency reserve money to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program amid the ongoing federal shutdown. But Oregon and Washington SNAP recipients expecting to get benefits the first week of November could still see a delay.
Judges order the Trump administration to use contingency funds for SNAP payments during the shutdown
Judge John J. McConnell of Rhode Island directed the U.S. Department of Agriculture to use contingency funding appropriated by Congress to fund the food stamp program, which helps more than 757,000 Oregonians and more than 905,000 Washington residents buy groceries.
McConnell ordered the federal government to “ distribute the contingency money timely or as soon as possible for the Nov. 1 payments to be made,” as reported by the New York Times.
In a second ruling from Boston, a judge said the federal government would have to use an equitable approach to reducing benefits if it did not have the funds to fully pay for SNAP.
Advertisement
A spokesperson for Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek did not have an immediate comment and referred questions to the Oregon Department of Human Services, which helps administer the program. A spokesperson for that agency did not immediately respond to a text message.
Oregon contracts with a third-party processor to make benefits payments, and in interviews before Friday’s court rulings, state officials told OPB that means quick changes to SNAP payment plans could overwhelm its systems.
“Due to the unprecedented and complex nature of this situation, ODHS’ EBT vendor that distributes federal SNAP money has not been able to give us a concrete timeline regarding the post-shutdown November SNAP issuance,” an Oregon Department of Human Services spokesperson said.
The Rhode Island federal court order to continue payments came one day before federal funding for the SNAP program was set to run out.
That would have left millions of Americans without the benefits they rely on to put food on their tables. Congress has yet to pass a short-term spending bill to fund programs like SNAP, and the Trump administration said it would not use contingency funds to pay for food assistance.
Advertisement
In Oregon, more than half of SNAP recipients are seniors, children and people with disabilities.
This is a breaking story. Watch for updates.
Sign up today for OPB’s “First Look” – your daily guide to the most important news and culture stories from around the Northwest.
A third teenager has been arrested and charged in the shooting death of a University of Massachusetts student who was working as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C. this summer.
Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, 21, of Granby, Massachusetts, was an innocent bystander when he was shot four times near the convention center in Washington on June 30. Investigators say three armed suspects exited a stolen vehicle and began firing shots at two young men.
Tarpinian-Jachym was rushed to the hospital where he died the next day. Five other people were assaulted or injured in the incident, prosecutors said.
Advertisement
On Wednesday night, 18-year-old Naqwan Antonio Lucas of the District of Columbia, was arrested in Montgomery Village, Maryland and charged in Tarpinian-Jachym’s murder.
Last month, 17-year-old Kelvin Thomas, Jr. and Naqwan Lucas’ brother, 17-year-old Jailen Lucas, were arrested and charged as adults on counts of first-degree murder while armed in connection with Tarpinian-Jachym’s murder.
Tarpinian-Jachym was a rising senior at UMass Amherst and was spending the summer in Washington as a congressional intern for Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican from Kansas.
Naqwan Lucas pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday afternoon. He is being held until a status hearing with his co-defendants on November 7.
Naqwan Lucas was also charged in the July 4 murder of 17-year-old Zoey Kelley, who was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head in a bedroom closet of an apartment in Washington, D.C.
Advertisement
Last week, the Metropolitan Police Department and FBI announced a $75,000 reward for information leading to Lucas’ arrest.
