Released American hostage Tom Hayes received a hero's welcome at John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio yesterday Sunday October 12, 2025. 

He was among the nearly 500 Sumud Flotilla crew who were taken hostage by the Israeli pirates on October 3 in internarial water about 100 miles away from Gaza shores. 

All Global Sumud 46 vessels were intercepted by Israel as it was sailing to break the siege in Gaza and deliver humanitarian aid to the besieged and starving people in the Strip. They carried food, water, baby formula, and toys for kids.

Several dozen people from Central Ohio and some from Athens in Ohio came to Columbus airport to give Tom Hayes the welcome he deserves: A hero's welcome! After all, he risked his life for the people of Gaza and for justice. 

When Hayes saw the well-wishers with signs and balloons, he screamed from the top of his lungs repeatedly "Free, Free Palestine!" One of the well-wishers gave him a plant of olive trees, which is more than just a tree in Palestine but rather a symbol of resilience, rootedness, and deep connection of the Palestinian people to their land.

Shamefully, despite the international news that interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla vessels and the subsequent kidnapping all its crews, including 22 American citizens has generated, none of the local news media showed up at Columbus airport to cover Mr. Hayes' return back home to Columbus. Noura Dadadoub, the head of Baladna Palestine Society of Columbus (BPSC) posted a message on her group list urging local Palestinian community and their supporters to welcome Tom Hayes back and show him solidarity for risking his life for justice. 

The only media representative there to cover the event was Columbus Free Press. All other media outlets were "no call no show." Tom Hayes was in very good spirits and happy to be well-received. The only thing he missed was "Break the siege on Gaza" bracelet that was given to him as a gift which was one of the many of his personal items that the Israeli pirates have stolen.

There was a cross section of central Ohio community at the airport to welcome Mr. Hayes. Among them were seniors, professors, veterans, businessmen, and many mothers who brought their kids with them. One mother came with her two teenage daughters from Athens, Ohio, where Hayes worked as Assistant Professor at Ohio University had to stay in Columbus all day because Tom Hayes' flight was delayed three time 12:15 PM to 6:12 PM.

The well-wishers held a mini town hall-style meeting at the airport answering a lot of the questions. Then they had a group picture taken together with Mr. Hayes. At the end, Tom Hayes who is a member of pro-Palestinian Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) group said, "The people of Gaza have taught the world the meaning of bravery, steadfastness, and integrity." 

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Mahmoud El-Youseph is a Palestinian freelance writer and retired U.S. Air Force veteran. He writes on U.S. foreign policy, Middle East affairs, and justice. Email: elyousseph6@yahoo.com