More than 50 relatives of former Israeli hostages held in Gaza have sharply criticized the Israeli-American Council (IAC) for scheduling three events featuring Ron Dermer, a former Israeli minister and close adviser to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The events are set to take place in early September in California, including locations in the Bay Area and Los Angeles.
Dermer, who served as Israel’s ambassador to the United States and most recently as strategic affairs minister until November 2025, remains influential in Israel’s diplomatic efforts despite holding no official government position. His planned speaking engagements, promoted under the banner “Unite. Lead. Fight.,” are described by the council as part of a national tour confronting rising antisemitism and anti-Zionism, as well as addressing future challenges for Israel and the Jewish community.
In a letter sent to IAC members on Sunday, the families of hostages and current Israel Defense Forces soldiers deployed in Gaza expressed their “deep disappointment” over Dermer’s platform at the council’s events. They emphasized that while they are not seeking to cancel the gatherings, they believe public platforms should be granted based on tangible positive impact on Israeli society rather than time spent in positions of power.
The letter’s signatories include Jon Polin, whose son Hersh Goldberg-Polin was kidnapped from the Nova festival and subsequently killed in captivity; Ruby Chen, whose son Itay was killed during the October 7, 2023, attacks and whose body was taken to Gaza; and Ofri Bibas-Levy, sister of released hostage Yarden Bibas, whose wife and two children were taken hostage and later murdered. They accused Dermer of playing a significant role in Israel’s rejection of multiple hostage release proposals following the October 2023 attacks, arguing that missed opportunities contributed to the deaths of hostages who might otherwise have been saved.
The families also criticized Dermer’s interactions with them, describing his responses as dismissive and disrespectful. They noted that some of the rejected negotiations bore close resemblance to deals eventually accepted in 2025. They contend that providing Dermer with a public platform exacerbates the ongoing trauma experienced by the hostages’ relatives.
Several of the relatives also voiced their dissatisfaction publicly on social media. Gil Dickman, whose cousin Carmel Gat was killed in Gaza, called the council’s decision a “spit in the face.” Danny Elgarat, brother of slain hostage Itzhak Elgarat, described Dermer as complicit in the “abandonment” of hostages.
The Israeli-American Council, based in Los Angeles, responded by stating it is engaged in direct dialogue with hostage families and will continue outreach efforts. The organization highlighted that supporting hostage families has been a core mission since October 7, 2023, and that their voices have been featured in prior council events. The IAC declined further comment to respect ongoing conversations with the families.
Dermer has not responded to requests for comment. Reports indicate he remains active in sensitive diplomatic channels, including engagement with officials from the United States and Saudi Arabia on issues related to Lebanon and regional security.