Nigel Farage has made contact with the mother of the now-released British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari.

Damari, 28, was one of three hostages released by Hamas following a ceasefire deal signed off by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.


Farage met Damari’s mother in the Houses of Parliament last month in an attempt to raise awareness for the 28-year-old.

Speaking just hours after her release, the Reform UK leader told the People’s Channel: “I’m delighted. I just sent a voicenote to Mandy, the mother.”

Farage discussed Damari’s release with GB News

GB NEWS

Holding back the tears, Farage added: “I’d say my voice cracked halfway through it because what can you say?

“It’s great news. She looks okay. I feel for her, I feel for the mother.

“Do you know why I feel for her so much? Nobody knew there was a British hostage.

“No one was prepared to stand up and speak, so I met her [Mandy Damari] in the House of Commons.

“I did my best to make people aware of what was happening. I’m thrilled for her. Goodness me, I felt for her.”

u200bMandy Damari, mother of sole British hostage in Gaza, Emily DamariMandy Damari, mother of sole British hostage in Gaza, Emily DamariPA

Farage campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness for Damari, warning in December: “Almost nobody knows that we have a British citizen being held captive.”

He even slammed Foreign Secretary David Lammy for allegedly focusing on giving aid to Gaza rather than focusing on returning Damari to safety.

Damari was released earlier today alongside 24-year-old Romi Goren and 31-year-old Doron Steinbrecher.

The three women were abducted during Hamas’s horrific October 7 attack in 2023.

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were released

Romi Gonen, Emily Damari and Doron Steinbrecher were released

The attack, which left 1,200 Israelis killed, saw the Palestinian terror group snatch around 250 people before taking them into captivity in Gaza.

Damari was in her own apartment in Kfar Aza kibbutz in Israel, just two miles from the Gaza border, when she was taken prisoner in 2023.

Hamas troops entered her home and shot her golden cockapoo Choocha dead, later taking her to the Strip.

Damari’s mother, Mandy, said that she was “shot in the hand, injured by shrapnel in her leg, blindfolded, bundled into the back of her own car” and driven into Gaza.

Nigel Farage and Mandy Damari

Nigel Farage and Mandy Damari

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Following her release earlier today, Mandy Damari said: “After 471 days Emily is finally home.

“I want to thank everyone who never stopped fighting for Emily throughout this horrendous ordeal, and who never stopped saying her name.

“In Israel, Britain, the United States, and around the world. Thank you for bringing Emily home.

“While Emily’s nightmare in Gaza is over, for too many other families the impossible wait continues.

“Every last hostage must be released, and humanitarian aid must be provided to the hostages who are still waiting to come home.”