Ryan Routh, a man currently held in federal custody for his alleged attempt on the life of then President-elect Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign trail, has penned a letter offering himself as a hostage to the militant group, Hamas.
The letter, which was obtained by the New York Post, unveils Routh's readiness to surrender to the Gaza-based organization as a means to reignite peace negotiations and put an end to the ongoing strife with Israel.
"Will you go with me to Gaza and surrender to Hamas in exchange for a hostage life, please? Will you help me stop the killing of innocent children and families by offering yourself to restart the peace process and end this war?" Routh's letter implored. According to The Post Millennial, Routh proposed to barter his liberty to "restart the peace conversation," suggesting that such a move could potentially curb Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Despite his current confinement, Routh made the audacious claim of possessing "unlimited time and funds to travel to D.C. Qatar, Gaza, or anywhere else to deliver the new hostages." He also voiced his support for pro-Hamas university demonstrations that followed the October 7 terrorist attack in Israel, lamenting that "It was extremely sad when our US leaders crushed the tent cities created by the University students for Gaza."
In his letter, Routh drew comparisons between himself and both historical and fictional characters. He shared his emotional response to reading about Alexander Hamilton's fatal duel with former Vice President Aaron Burr, and likened himself to George Bailey from the classic film, "Its a Wonderful Life."
"I wish for a world where we always put in more than we take out, and do not care for money, or material goods, but do not wish for our neighbors to struggle around the globe," Routh wrote. "I feel as George Bailey, wondering if there is support and value in honor, dignity, righteousness, meek, modest, altruism, magnanimity, empathy, kindness, caring [and] sacrifice."
The authenticity of the letter was verified by Rouths daughter, who co-signed it with him. She expressed her frustration to the New York Post, stating, I have tried to push it but nobody has responded and I havent gotten much of anything. I have tried to reach out to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Qatar and Egypt and I have not gotten much.
Routh was apprehended last September following his attempt to assassinate Trump at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida. Armed with a rifle, Routh reportedly managed to get within a few hundred yards of Trump on the golf course before being intercepted by the Secret Service, who subsequently opened fire. Routh was then taken into custody. His audacious proposal and the subsequent lack of response from the international community underscore the complexity and volatility of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
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