Parents of Slain Hostage Itay Chen Rally, Urge Israelis to Vote Only for Parties Pledging a State Commission of Inquiry

On August 8, 2026, Ruby and Hagit Chen — parents of Itay Chen, an Israeli-American soldier taken hostage on October 7 and later confirmed killed — held a rally at Tel Aviv's Habima Square demanding accountability ahead of the October 27 election. 'We're not standing here to ask for pity. We're here to demand answers,' Hagit Chen said, pressing political parties directly: 'Are you going to form a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7? Yes or no?' Ruby Chen urged voters to withhold support from any party unwilling to commit: 'Whoever is unwilling to commit to seeking the truth — we call on you not to give them your vote.' The couple criticized the government for failing to establish a commission nearly three years after the attack, asking decision-makers directly, 'Where were you on October 7? What did you do?' The rally is the latest in a string of accountability actions by bereaved and hostage families as October 7 becomes a central issue of the election campaign.