Long Island Park Named for Slain Israeli Captain Omer Neutra

Oyster Bay, N.Y. — A park in Plainview was officially renamed Capt. Omer Neutra Memorial Park on Sunday as hundreds gathered to honor the slain Israeli tank commander and to call for the return of his body from Gaza.

Neighbors and officials described Neutra as a leader and a valued neighbor who grew up in the community. The town of Oyster Bay designated the green space as Capt. Omer Neutra Memorial Park, which includes a basketball court and a plaque recalling his service and his ties to the town. Neutra, 21, was killed during the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack near the Gaza border. His body is believed to be among the 28 corpses held by Hamas, with no hostage exchange in sight as the war continues.

Family members spoke about the son they remember beyond the uniform. Orna Neutra, Omer’s mother, said she envisions the park as a place where children can play and remember him not only as a soldier but as a son who loved mischief, basketball and his friends. The family described him as a boy who could light up a room and who carried his values into his service. A plaque at the park notes that the space was once a place of childhood play and now serves as a tribute to a life dedicated to others.

Actor Michael Rapaport, who befriended the Neutras through pro-Israel advocacy, attended the ceremony and urged Hamas to return Omer’s body along with the other hostages and to release those believed to be alive. Local officials including Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino praised Neutra as a model citizen who embodied bravery, commitment and humanity.

Neutra enlisted as a tank commander with the Israel Defense Forces and was killed on Oct. 7, 2023, when his unit was ambushed near the Gaza border. It was initially believed he had been captured but in December it was confirmed that he was killed and his body taken to Gaza. His case remains part of the broader discussions around hostage exchanges, even as fighting in the region intensifies.

The dedication of Capt. Omer Neutra Memorial Park provides the Plainview community with a public, ongoing reminder of a local resident who rose to national service. The park, built into the town’s landscape, becomes a space for memories of a life marked by leadership, athleticism and a sense of belonging. As the war in Gaza continues, residents acknowledged the dual pull of honoring a fallen neighbor while hoping for a humanitarian resolution.