There are moments in history when the power of ordinary citizens surpasses that of governments.
The “hostages diplomacy” that emerged after the trauma of October 7 became a rare and inspiring example of people-driven diplomacy, one that grew from the pain and determination of Israeli families and the voices of freed hostages, transforming into an influential international force.
What began as private grief and desperate hope evolved, within months, into a global human network that crossed borders, ideologies, and institutions. Families of the hostages reached out directly to leaders, parliaments, journalists, and international organizations.
They spoke at the United Nations, appeared before the US Congress and European parliaments, and met with ambassadors across the world. In doing so, they restored the human and moral dimension of Israel’s story to the heart of global discourse.
This was not diplomacy in the traditional sense – no official delegations, no communiqués, and no cautious diplomatic language.
It was emotional diplomacy, raw and authentic, grounded in the universal language of human pain. And precisely because of that, it resonated so deeply with people – and with world leaders.
Trump's empathic approach and diplomatic ahievement
One of the most significant effects of this citizen-led diplomacy was seen in the United States. President Donald Trump, who has long been engaged in Middle East peace efforts and has shown a personal connection to Israel, was deeply moved by the encounters he had with hostage families and with survivors who were freed from Gaza.
Known for his pragmatic and results-oriented approach to foreign policy, Trump displayed an unexpected and powerful empathy: he made the release of all Israeli hostages the first and central clause of his new peace initiative to end the war in Gaza.
This was not merely a symbolic gesture. It was a diplomatic achievement of the highest order, born not from state institutions or military power, but from moral strength and human courage.
Trump, along with other world leaders, recognized that no genuine peace can exist while innocent men, women, and children remain in captivity and while an entire nation is paralyzed by moral anguish.
Reshaping the global agenda
The hostages’ diplomacy reshaped the global agenda. It shifted the world’s attention from political rhetoric and military tactics to human compassion and moral urgency.
At a time when Israel’s image suffered in international media and academia, the families’ testimonies – spoken with honesty, vulnerability, and dignity – broke through cynicism and indifference.
They reminded the world that Israel’s struggle is not just a territorial conflict but a profoundly human tragedy.
Alongside the formal efforts of the Israeli government and its embassies, it is clear that some of the most important breakthroughs were achieved through these persistent, personal initiatives.
The families built informal coalitions with diplomats, opinion leaders, and civil society groups, creating bridges of empathy and solidarity that no government could have built alone.
The success of this grassroots diplomacy invites a deeper reflection on the nature of diplomacy in the 21st century. Perhaps the real power today lies not only in ministries and conference halls, but also in the courage of ordinary citizens who dare to speak from the heart.
Israel – a nation founded on solidarity – has much to learn from this movement. It reminds us that diplomacy is not only the art of persuasion but also the art of empathy.
In that sense, the hostages’ families became true ambassadors of hope, proving that soft power – the power of human connection – can at times change history more than any official speech at the United Nations.
The writer is an Israeli diplomat and former ambassador.