Nnow that the american people have voted, and the 2024 election is behind us, it's still important to think about the core values that define our nation: freedom, leadership, and democracy. Last year, these principles were challenged by the ongoing kidnapping of American citizens held in Gaza. Despite the severity of their plight, the issue was not prominently featured in the political debate this election season.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists violated the cease-fire agreement, launching an unrelenting attack that claimed more than 1,200 lives and resulted in the capture of more than 250 people, including American citizens. Seven Americans remain hostages in Gaza. My parents, Gadi Haggai and Judi Weinstein Haggai, were among those taken. For three painful months, we prayed for their safe return, but we finally heard last December that they were killed on October 7 and that their bodies remained in Gaza, held by Hamas, denying us even a proper farewell.
My parents symbolized the values of freedom and justice, they lived for freedom and unity. Now, they are held up as bargaining chips in Gaza. They, along with other hostages, have endured unimaginable conditions for over a year, and their suffering, and that of their families, is not being ignored. This neglect raises an important question: Where have our values of freedom, democracy, and humanity gone?
If we don't fight for their liberation, we risk abandoning the very values that define us as Americans. Each day they remain hostages, held by terrorists who have no regard for human life, demonstrates the failure of our commitment to American ideals. Freedom, justice, and unity—the values my parents lived by—are not just words; they are promises we make to ourselves and to each other. Failure to return the captives to their homes destroys those promises, making us a nation that accepts injustice.
Read more: As Families of Murdered Kidnappers, Our Message to Powerful People is Simple: Act
The practice of atrocities like this poses a great threat to the moral structure of our society. Each day that passes without decisive action to secure the release of these hostages is a worrying relief. It suggests that the kidnapping and prolonged captivity of innocent Americans may be relegated to a mere footnote. These hostages are not just statistics; they are parents, sons, daughters, husbands, and friends. Their continued captivity is an affront to the principles we claim to defend. If we fail to prioritize their release, we risk destroying the foundation of our democracy.
If we don't deal with this issue now, it could be any of us next. This is not just a personality problem; it is a matter of national responsibility. Terrorism cannot be allowed to operate unchecked. The alarming increase in anti-Semitism and the justification of the atrocities committed on October 7 highlight the widespread erosion of human rights and dignity.
Where is the outrage? Where is the leadership that wants the immediate release of these hostages without conditions? The lack of strong feedback from our leaders is a glaring omission that needs to be addressed. The release of all captives is not just a humanitarian obligation; it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to American values and a test of our determination to stand as a beacon of freedom and justice.
We must demand that our elected officials prioritize the return of our fellow Americans—my parents and all seven Americans. We must hold them accountable to the principles that define our nation.
The plight of the American hostages in Gaza is a stark reminder that our values are as strong as our determination to defend ourselves. The world is watching, and history will judge us by how we respond to this moment. Let's not let their suffering be forgotten. Let's make sure their release becomes a national priority, reflecting the true spirit of America—a nation that leaves no one behind.
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