CHICAGO — Family members of six Americans who are still being held hostage after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel are at the Democratic National Convention to increase political pressure for a ceasefire deal and hostage release amid widespread demonstrations from pro-Palestinian protesters in the Windy City.
The families are working to keep the conversation focused on the release of their loved ones who have been gone for 319 days as of Tuesday.
Ronen Neutra and Ruby Chen are two fathers bonded by their tireless advocacy to secure the release of their sons. Neutra’s son, Omer, is one of five American hostages believed to be alive, and Chen’s son, Itay, was killed on Oct. 7 and Hamas took his body to Gaza.
Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of Sagui Dekel-Chen, speaks to reporters after a meeting with President Joe Biden and the families of Americans who were taken hostage by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks in Israel, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Eva …