Ruby Chen, at The Blogs

Ruby Chen

Oct 19, 2026, 2:18 PM

What Washington expects from Israel’s next government

Ruby and Hagit Chen (center), the parents of slain IDF soldier Itay Chen, attend an event at the State Department honoring the US citizens killed on October 7, along with Secretary of State Marco Rubio (left) and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (right), October 14 2026. (Courtesy)

While in the US capital to honor my son's memory, I heard a clear message: Israel must change course, rebuild regional trust, and restore American public support

Jul 21, 2026, 1:25 PM

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Netanyahu, to honor Lindsey Graham, finish his mission!

Senator Lindsey Graham (center right) meets with Ruby Chen (center left), father of slain hostage Itay Chen, and family (Ruby Chen via Instagram)

The senator who stood by my family during our son's captivity never stopped pursuing Israeli-Saudi peace. Set aside your election campaign and work to achieve it

Oct 27, 2025, 2:39 PM

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Until Itay and the other remaining hostages come home

Hagit Chen, the mother of fallen hostage Itay Chen, poses with Itay's dog, in Hostages Square after Simhat Torah in Tel Aviv, October 14, 2025. (Deborah Danan/ JTA, via The Times of Israel)

When Hamas returns our fallen, as they agreed, we'll grieve, heal, and slowly resume life; for now, with no proper burial for our son, we are the walking dead

Sep 29, 2025, 4:32 PM

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Netanyahu left my son’s name out of his UN speech. That’s when I walked out

The families of hostages held in Gaza lead a protest outside the United Nations Headquarters as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivers a speech, New York City, September 26, 2026. Photo by Luke Tress/Flash90

Overwhelmed with grief and rage, I wondered: Is the PM subtly admitting he is no longer focused on bringing home all the hostages?

Apr 27, 2025, 2:01 PM

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee Must Implement a Decisive Strategy against Hamas from Day 1

As the father of Itay Chen, a US hostage being held in Gaza by Hamas, the arrival of Mike Huckabee as US ambassador to Israel gave me a renewed sense of hope. Ambassador Huckabee must implement the decisive policy changes...

Mar 17, 2025, 3:16 PM

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Why is the US, not Israel, leading negotiations to free my son?

A group of released hostages meets US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on March 5, 2025. (White House/X)

I should not have to fly all over the world to ensure that those working to free Itay hear the hostage families’ position directly

Feb 5, 2025, 4:27 PM

President Trump’s Deal of the Century: Finish the Job and Bring All the Hostages Back Home

President Donald Trump’s discussions this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are intended to set the stage for a grander deal for the future of the Middle East. Even before his bombshell press conference, rumors of the “Deal...

Oct 23, 2024, 1:44 AM

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On Simchat Torah, our Itai and 100 others are still hostage. It’s unbearable

The Chen family. Itai is on the right. (Courtesy)

After a full year of pain, how much longer will Prime Minister Netanyahu and other world leaders allow this to continue?

About Me

Ruby Chen is the father of Itay Chen, an IDF tank soldier who fell on October 7 on the Gaza border. Itay was taken into Gaza and brought home to Israel after 760 days, the last fallen American to be returned from Gaza.