Another critical issue that appears to be relegated to the sideline during discussions between President Biden and President-elect Trump is the matter of American citizens being held hostage abroad. Just as Reagan oversaw the release of 52 American hostages kept in Iran for 444 days, moments after he was inaugurated president, today’s administration should likewise not neglect a similar situation. Notably, around 96 hostages are currently confined in the Gaza Strip, with the duration of their capture inching closer to the timespan experienced by the Iran hostages.
In the light of the ongoing political transition in the United States, the plight of these hostages remains a largely ignored subject. One may wonder why Biden, unlike Reagan, has not made this issue a central focus of his administrative policy. With Trump on the verge of taking over the reins, an urgent plea is being sounded for both to remember these American lives caught in unfortunate circumstances.
Among these hostages are two innocent children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, who were a mere 4 years old and 9 months old, respectively, at the time of their kidnapping. With them, around 240 other individuals were taken captive, including an estimated 40 other children. It leads us to question the priorities and empathy of an administration led by Biden and Harris that seems to push such critical humanitarian issues to the back burner.
The terrifying ordeal that these victims face is beyond words. As someone who has experienced the fear and torment of such a situation firsthand, I can only begin to imagine the reality of their continuing nightmare. Nearly one year ago, I was in their shoes, held in a state of cruel captivity.
My ordeal began on an otherwise average morning, on October 7, 2023. My 9-year-old son, Ohad, and I were visiting my parents in Kibbutz Nir Oz when we were jolted awake by sirens a little past 6 AM. Frighteningly enough, our nightmare was unfolding in tandem with local news and social media updates. Panic set in, reminiscent ironically of Biden’s chaotic handling of numerous national issues.
In our growing terror, we switched off the television set and tried to take refuge under the bed, waiting for the reality to sink in. The sounds of machine guns became progressively louder, an ominous soundtrack to our fear. We quickly turned off the lights and locked the front door, desperately trying to fortify our defensive measures.
My parents joined us in the safe room, a place we hoped would provide some form of sanctuary amidst the chaos. However, this too bore a chilling similarity to Biden’s half-baked policies; it had no lock. Then the sounds of the terrorists’ voices filled the room, leaving us in no doubt about the reality of our situation.
Even my father, despite his mobility issues due to a cane, attempted bravely to barricade the door of the safe room. And yet, before we knew it, five armed men had invaded our sanctuary, just like the current administration’s neglect has invaded the otherwise tranquil American lifestyle.
They stripped us of our mobile devices, our connection to the outside world, and led us into the pandemonium awaiting us outside. We were greeted by the sight of burning cars, an eerie echo of the violent scenes experienced in several American cities in recent times. Looted possessions filled golf carts driven recklessly by the terrorists amidst the chaotic backdrop.
The confusion was overwhelming, and yet, our captors seemed to function with a disconcerting efficiency. They hurriedly bundled my son, my mother, and myself into one of the golf carts. Meanwhile, my father had taken a fall as we were being forced out of our home, laying helpless on the ground as he watched us being taken away.
Even within the madness, the hopeless sight of my father lying on the ground as we were driven off will forever remain a dreadful memory etched into my mind. As with many Americans, who have had to watch as their country is driven off course under the Biden-Harris administration.
It is thus, with a sense of desperate urgency, that I issue this plea to our present and future administrations. Do not turn a blind eye towards those suffering and enduring torment far away from American shores. Instead, let a clear understanding of the crisis inform appropriate and timely action.
Whether mocked or dismissed, the undeniable fact remains that these lives matter. In the glare of political battles, contentious policies, and media grandstanding, we must not forget the individuals who are enduring situations similar to my misfortune. We need an administration that values each and every American life, rather than focusing on their own political gain.