SouthernWorldwide.com – This past weekend, America observed Memorial Day, a time to honor soldiers and citizens who have defended the nation against evil and terrorism globally. Among those remembered is my son, Itay, who was 19 years old when Hamas murdered him on October 7, 2023. He was the youngest U.S. citizen taken hostage that day, an American, an Israeli, and my child.
Nearly a thousand days have passed since that tragic morning – 966 days marked by unanswered questions. While grief may not cease with an investigation, the absence of one prevents accountability and rehabilitation.
I am not speaking as a member of any political party. I am speaking as a father and an American who believes this country has a duty to stand by its citizens, and must continue to do so.
The United States has a long-standing tradition of investigating the deaths of its citizens in conflict zones. Following the deaths of four Americans in Benghazi in 2012, Congress initiated eight separate investigations, including a bipartisan Select Committee that conducted a two-year inquiry. After 19 American service members were killed in the 1996 Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, the House National Security Committee launched a formal investigation, traveled internationally, and released a detailed public report.
For the tragic deaths of four Americans, and then nineteen Americans, thorough examinations were conducted.
However, on October 7, 46 Americans were killed on the Gaza border – a toll more than ten times that of Benghazi. Despite this, Congress has not yet established a formal bipartisan investigative committee.
The precedent for such an investigation exists. The necessary tools are available. The current silence is unacceptable.
Each day that passes without an investigation allows evidence to degrade and memories to fade. Digital records can disappear, and witnesses may relocate.
Our pursuit is for justice, not only against those who carried out the murders but also against those who financed, enabled, and armed them. This requires a serious inquiry with subpoena power and dedicated resources, not merely expressions of sympathy.
There is no better time to act than now. The longer Congress delays, the more difficult it becomes to establish the truth.
I have deep connections to Israel, and my son served in its armed forces. However, largely due to political considerations, the Israeli government has not prioritized a comprehensive investigation into the deaths of over 2,000 of its own citizens on October 7, including 46 Americans. Given Israel’s internal political landscape, meaningful accountability is unlikely in the immediate future.
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I do not expect the current Israeli government to alter its approach. Instead, I am urging the United States to fulfill its unique responsibility: to act on behalf of its own citizens.
This plea is rooted in a fundamental principle: when Americans are killed in a war zone, Congress has a solemn duty to ascertain what occurred, the reasons behind it, and who bears responsibility.
This duty does not diminish due to complex geopolitical situations. It does not pause even if allies are involved. The lives of Americans cannot be subject to selective accountability.
For decades, the United States has upheld a clear standard: the kidnapping and killing of Americans must have consequences. This principle must be applied consistently, regardless of whether the perpetrators are terrorists, their backers, or any official whose decisions contributed to preventable loss of life.
The appropriate mechanism for this is a formal bipartisan congressional committee, modeled after past successful inquiries. Republicans who advocate for American sovereignty and the protection of citizens abroad, and Democrats who champion oversight and accountability, should find common ground on this critical issue.
Such a committee would possess the full authority of Congress, including subpoena powers and investigative resources. Its mandate should be clear: follow the evidence wherever it leads and hold all those responsible for the deaths of American citizens accountable.
This is not a partisan demand; it is an American demand.
Over 966 days have passed. The evidence is deteriorating, and the families are still waiting.
I cannot bring my son back. However, I can insist that his death, and the deaths of 45 other Americans, are not overlooked.
Congress must act. Together. Now. For America.
