newYou can now listen to Fox News articles.
I don't know where my son Itai is for over a year. My son is a 19-year-old American citizen who, along with 100 other hostages, has been in the captivity of the terrorist organization Hamas for over a year, over 400 days to be exact. It was forever for our entire family.
My wife, Haggit, and I could never have imagined that we would be in the same position come Election Day as the families of many hostages held in Hamas's dungeons in Gaza, and yet here we are. Masu. Despite the negotiated release of half of the hostages taken to Gaza a year ago, the United States and Israel have been unable to rescue the remaining hostages since then.
The U.S. government and the Biden administration have been incredibly cooperative and have worked tirelessly to do what they want to facilitate the release of our loved ones. However, their efforts were in vain. After months of stalled negotiations and minimal movement towards securing freedom, the elections finally gave us new hope.
Since October 2023, Iran-related attacks against the US have spiked by 600% Hamas attacks against Israel: Report
President-elect Donald Trump's victory brings new hope to those of us who are calling for immediate and decisive action to bring our loved ones home.
Sagui Dekel Chen's father, Jonathan Dekel Chen, and Itai Chen's father, Ruby, are surrounded by other families of Americans taken hostage by Hamas in the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel. Chen told reporters after meeting with reporters. President Joe Biden arrives at the White House on Wednesday, December 13, 2023.
We also just passed the anniversary of the Iran Hostage Crisis, which began on November 4, 1979. Iranian revolutionaries stormed the American embassy in Tehran and took 53 Americans hostage. When they were finally released, they had been in custody for 444 days. This was one of the biggest stories of the decade, and the crisis only ended with the election of President Ronald Reagan. Victory in this election would allow Trump to usher in the Reagan era.
For more FOX News opinions, click here
Mr. Trump's unique leadership and experience in the Middle East, exemplified by the Abraham Accords that forged peace between Israel and many of its Arab neighbors, strengthens the movement and puts him in a strong position to end the hostage humanitarian crisis. It's in As a results-driven dealmaker with a track record of securing historic deals, Mr. Trump gives us new confidence that we can finally break the impasse and secure a deal.
Make no mistake, Trump has a lot to fix in his second term. Nevertheless, hostage trading needs to be at the top of his agenda. The Gaza hostage crisis is a crisis for the United States, especially given that seven of the remaining hostages are American citizens and his strong emphasis on promoting the best interests of the American people. With each passing day, and indeed with each passing moment, the lives of the hostages are increasingly at risk and the strategic interests of the United States in the Middle East and around the world are threatened.
Trump's fearless, pragmatic approach to problem-solving is exactly what we need right now. His influence and proven ability to advance unlikely partnerships and take tough measures when necessary will ensure that the United States leverages the tools at its disposal to make Itai's safe return a top priority. be willing to use it. I urge President Trump to draw on his experience and use all diplomatic, economic, and political tools to leverage the great power of the United States to put pressure on Hamas and its allies.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
This is an opportunity to fulfill his promise to protect Americans and show that his legacy extends far beyond our borders. During his last term as president, he rightly prioritized the release of American citizens around the world and reunited many families who are grateful for his leadership. My plea to President Trump is simple. Please bring my son and the other hundred hostages back to their homeland, where they belong. We know that some of them have passed away, and their families believe they are entitled to a proper burial.
For far too long, the world's greatest superpower, the United States, has been unable to secure the release of all eight of its citizens held hostage by a vicious and brutal terrorist group. One of these eight, Hersh Goldberg Pollin, was executed while waiting for rescue. I can't lose anymore. We hope and pray that the new Trump administration will ultimately show a determination to finally bring them home. I hope today is the day the new president-elect calls me to let me know that Itai is on his way home.
