On October 7, 2023, my son Itai was taken hostage during a Hamas raid. brutal attack About Israel. Itai is one of them 7 American citizens He is among 100 hostages currently held in Gaza since that horrific day. For more than 400 days, every moment of every day has been filled with pain for the family as they try to figure out how to end this nightmare and bring him home.
Earlier this month, 21-year-old Omer Neutra was killed The attack on October 7th was heartbreaking. Like our son Itai, Omer is a U.S. citizen, and the U.S. has an obligation to bring them home. For the sake of all hostages, decisive action must be taken before it is too late.
President-elect Donald Trump Appointment of Adam Boehler Because the special presidential envoy for hostage issues has given us new hope. Mr. Boehler's extensive experience, including brokering the Abraham Accords, makes him uniquely positioned to navigate the complexities of hostage negotiations in the Middle East with direct authority from the next president.
direct negotiation
Unlike many U.S. officials, Boehler has the legal authority to engage directly with terrorist organizations like Hamas, as authorized by the Office of the Special Presidential Hostage Envoy (SPEHA). This authority gives Mr. Boehler a rare opportunity to lead direct negotiations on behalf of the American people currently held hostage, with direct guidance from the president. After negotiations have been stalled for more than a year, Boehler has a responsibility to use this power to immediately access key players on the issue. His experience as a seasoned negotiator, having worked with some of the toughest players in the region during the Abraham Accords, highlights his ability to move forward through sensitive and high-stakes discussions.
bridge the divide
This humanitarian crisis must transcend political differences, and the current transition period in Washington provides a unique opportunity to unite efforts across the aisle. During my recent visit to the U.S. Capitol, I was heartened to see that the Biden and Trump administrations are working closely together to bring the hostages home.
This collaboration is even more important during this important transition week. SPEHA needs to take an honest look at its entire history of hostage negotiations in order to take a new approach. Seamless coordination between the regimes should unleash all available diplomatic, intelligence, and economic tools to maximize pressure on Hamas and its supporters.
Holding local enablers accountable
Mr Boehler must also use his platform to address the states and organizations that enable Hamas. of Expulsion of Bashar Assad The situation in Syria adds further complexity to an already tangled Middle East and could endanger U.S. strategic interests through a new wave of instability. That's why we must seize this pivotal moment now to pressure countries like Turkey and Qatar, which have historically provided safe haven and financial lifelines to Hamas, to dismantle these networks. There is a need. Turkey, a NATO member, must decide whether to side with its Western allies in supporting regional stability and economic growth, or with those who carry out terrorism. Similarly, Egypt, which accepted Huge amount of aid from the USmust be responsible for monitoring the border and preventing arms smuggling into Gaza. Mr. Boehler's background in international development will help him lead these difficult but necessary conversations.
legacy of leadership
America must show the world that it values the lives of its citizens, wherever they are. Mr. Boehler can continue to unwavering America's long-standing commitment to protecting its people. This requires a comprehensive strategy. These include direct negotiations with Hamas to secure the release of U.S. citizens, increasing diplomatic pressure on regional actors, and leveraging U.S. financial and military influence to prioritize the release of all hostages. be. Trump's Threat of “retribution in hell” If the hostages are not released by Inauguration Day, this US administration must muster the necessary fervor to prove it means business.
For families like mine, this is very personal. The empty seat at our table this past Thanksgiving was a poignant reminder of what we had lost. Still, we remain hopeful. We are praying for our own holiday miracle and reunion with Itai. Adam Boehler has the experience, authority, and opportunity to make that hope a reality. I urge him to take decisive action so that no other American or other family has to endure this pain.
Let's not wait another day. Let's take you home.
Ruby Chen is the father of Itai Chen, a 19-year-old Israeli-American hostage taken by Hamas. Ruby and his wife Hagit live in Israel with their two other children.
