In Lexington, Kentucky, Auburn’s basketball coach, Bruce Pearl, made a heartfelt appeal for the release of Edan Alexander, an American citizen held hostage in Gaza. During the NCAA Tournament postgame news conference, Pearl highlighted the plight of Alexander, the last known American being held by Hamas.
Edan Alexander is a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier who spent his formative years in the United States, and his current situation is troubling. Currently, he is one of 59 hostages in Gaza, with more than half believed to be deceased. Recently, Hamas had expressed readiness to release Alexander and the remains of four other hostages, contingent on Israel’s commitment to a faltering ceasefire agreement.
Coach Pearl, who shares a deep personal connection to this issue due to his Jewish heritage, took the opportunity after Auburn’s victory over Creighton to address this concern publicly. He stated that he had obtained his players’ consent to speak about the subject, emphasizing the importance of using their success as a platform to raise awareness for Alexander’s situation.
“People often inquire about how our basketball program has become so competitive over the past eight years,” Pearl remarked. “However, I perceive this success as part of a greater plan—an opportunity to remind the world that Edan Alexander is an American hostage still held in Gaza. It’s a name that needs to be known more widely in this country.”
Adi Alexander, Edan’s father, recently expressed newfound optimism about the potential for his son’s safe return, underlining ongoing efforts by the U.S. to secure his release. When asked about his motivations for discussing the hostage situation, Pearl, known for his outspoken support for former President Donald Trump, cited his faith and familial roots as key influences.
“October 7 marked a day of unprecedented tragedy for Jewish people since the Holocaust,” Pearl asserted. “Hamas threatens repetition of such atrocities. Currently, there are American hostages in Gaza, and this situation is untenable.” He also mentioned that Trump’s stance on freeing the hostages was crucial, acknowledging that doing so might pave the way for peace.
Pearl has consistently voiced support for Israel through social media platforms and in public interviews. In one conversation with conservative podcaster Dan Bongino, who was named deputy director of the FBI, Pearl advocated for Trump’s suggestion to resettle Gaza’s Palestinian population.
By broaching the topic during a prominent sporting event, Pearl extended the discussion to a wider audience, voicing his support for both his homeland and Israel. “As a Jewish American deeply devoted to this country, I also recognize Israel as our ancestral homeland, which is currently under siege. The desire is simply to coexist peacefully with neighboring regions,” he expressed.
