LI park named for slain Israeli captain Omer Neutra
Family pleads for return of his body as Oyster Bay renames a childhood park in his honor
A Long Island park in Oyster Bay was renamed Capt. Omer Neutra Memorial Park in honor of Captain Omer Neutra, a 21-year-old Israeli tank commander who was killed during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023. The dedication ceremony took place Sunday as his family pressed for the return of his body from the Gaza Strip.
The town of Oyster Bay said the park’s new name honors Neutra, who grew up in Plainview. The green space was renamed during the ceremony that drew local officials, service members and neighbors. The park includes a basketball court from Neutra’s childhood and a plaque that reads: “From this park, where he once played as a child, to the distant battlefield where he fought in defense of freedom and democracy.”
Omer Neutra was remembered as both strong and playful, a young man who brought energy to friends and family. His mother, Orna Neutra, said the park lets her see her son not as a headline but as a boy who loved mischief and laughter. “In this park I see Omer. I see my boy. Not the soldier, not the headlines. I see a boy full of mischief. A place where being connected to Israel is a source of pride where community and contribution are valued. And I want the children to play in this park. To feel what Omer felt. Joy. Adventure. Belonging,” she said.
The ceremony drew attention beyond the neighborhood: actor Michael Rapaport, who has publicly supported pro-Israel advocacy, attended and called for Hamas to release Omer’s body and the other hostages held by Gaza. “It’s of the utmost importance that Omer and the 47 other hostages come home right now,” Rapaport said. “We cannot, will not, stop fighting … until Omer Neutra and the other 47 are returned.”
Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino hailed Neutra as a model citizen who embodied bravery, commitment and humanity. The 21-year-old enlisted in the Israel Defense Force as a tank commander and served near the Gaza border when his unit was ambushed on Oct. 7, 2023. He was initially believed to have been taken alive but was later confirmed killed, with his body among the 28 corpses held by Hamas as the war escalated.
His family and community have pressed for clarity on his status as the war goes on and as no hostage exchange appears imminent. The park dedication and the public tribute reflect a broader pattern of local communities across the United States naming spaces to honor those who fought for Israel and to press for the safe return of hostages.
This ceremony in Oyster Bay comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza and the wider international debate over the fate of captives and the path to peace. While the Neutra family focuses on the life and memory of their son, supporters say the dedication serves as a public reminder of the cost of the conflict and the community ties that bind a hometown to distant events.