Who is Mia Schem, the Gaza hostage who attended Elton John’s Oscars party? The Israel-French 21-year-old was kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza, was released in November, and is now in the US to raise awareness
She wore a dazzling white halter-neck gown, with cut-outs at the waist, as she attended the annual 32nd Elton John Aids Foundation Academy Awards viewing party.
Schem still had her right arm in a cast and donned a symbolic yellow rhinestone pin to raise awareness for those still being held captive in Gaza, per the Times of Israel.
She was reportedly one of over 200 Israelis who were kidnapped, and was put in a pickup truck and taken to Gaza.
Here’s what we know about her.
Who is Mia Schem?
According to the Hindustan Times, Mia is a French-Israeli tattoo artist from Shoham, Israel. The former hostage was reportedly seized at the Nova music festival and spent around 50 days in Hamas captivity.
Following her kidnapping, her family and friends set up a social media account in her name to bring attention to her case.
Who is The Crown’s Khalid Abdalla, the Egyptian-British actor and activist?
How did Mia Schem get released?
According to Evening Standard, Schem was able to go home on November 30 due to a temporary ceasefire deal at the time. Per the source, 105 hostages were freed in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners.
What happened to Mia Schem’s arm?
According to the NY Post, Schem was shot in the arm during the October 7 terrorist attack.
What has Mia Schem been doing since her release?
Since Schem was freed, she has spoken out about her terrifying experiences. In one interview with Israel Channel 13, she explained:
“It is important for me to reflect the real situation with regard to people living in Gaza, who they really are and what I went through over there,” she said. “I went through a Holocaust, everyone there is a terrorist.”
Who is Colorado far-right Republican Lauren Boebert, supported by Trump?
She said she was constantly in fear: “[I was] closed in a dark room, not allowed to talk, not allowed to be seen, to be heard, hidden. There is a terrorist looking at you 24/7, looking, raping you with his eyes.” She added, “There is a fear of being raped, there is a fear of dying. I was frightened.”
Per British media, Schem is currently touring the US to share her first-hand experiences as a captive in Hamas and raise awareness on the remaining hostages in Gaza.
- Mia Schem, the 21-year-old Israeli-French woman who was kidnapped and released by Hamas last year, was spotted at an Oscars event on Sunday night after attending Joe Biden’s State of the Union address
- The Gen Z tattoo artist was reportedly one of over 200 Israelis who were kidnapped, and was seized at the Nova music festival, before spending around 50 days in Hamas captivity