Amer Foundation

08/17/2026

Thank you to the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation for honoring Amer Fakhoury and remembering him on the anniversary of his passing.

Amer’s death is a painful reminder that the consequences of wrongful and illegal detention do not always end when a hostage comes home. The abuse, mistreatment, and inhumane conditions endured in captivity can leave permanent physical and psychological scars, and for some, ultimately cost them their lives.

As we remember Amer today, we also remember all those who have suffered, and continue to suffer, because of wrongful detention. His story remains at the heart of our commitment to advocate for those unjustly held and to ensure that the lasting consequences of captivity are never forgotten.

Thank you, James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, for continuing to honor Amer’s memory and the stories of Americans wrongfully detained abroad.

Today we honor the memory of Amer Fakhoury.

Amer Fakhoury was a local business owner and Lebanese-born U.S. citizen who owned a popular Lebanese restaurant in Dover, N.H. He was kidnapped by the Hezbollah backed Lebanese government on September 12, 2019, while on a family vacation in Beirut, Lebanon. Amer was wrongfully detained for 7 months before his release on March 19, 2020.

Sadly, on August 17, 2020, Amer passed away from late-stage Epstein-Barr virus-related lymphoma, an illness he developed as a result of conditions endured during his imprisonment. His loss was a heartbreaking reminder of the lasting toll that captivity took on his health and his life.

To learn more, visit The Amer Fakhoury Foundation, which was founded under his name.

Amer Foundation

https://jamesfoleyfoundation.org/hostage/amer-fakhoury/

08/11/2026

The Amer Foundation welcomes the release of Robert Gilman, a former U.S. Marine who spent more than four years imprisoned in Russia.

Gilman’s release comes after grave concerns over his health and reported mistreatment while in Russian custody. He is now returning to the United States, where he is expected to receive medical and psychological care.

Gilman was among at least eight Americans who remained in Russian custody following a series of high-profile prisoner exchanges between the United States and Russia in recent years.

While we celebrate Robert’s return and his reunion with his family, his case is also a reminder that Americans remain detained in Russia and around the world.

Every American held abroad deserves the full attention of the United States government. We must continue working until every wrongfully detained American is brought home.

08/08/2026

The Amer Foundation welcomes the bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and James Lankford to strengthen the Lebanese Armed Forces, support Lebanon’s sovereignty, and impose consequences on those who finance Hezbollah.

Amer Fakhoury was kidnapped, illegally detained, and tortured in Lebanon because of the political reality created by Hezbollah and its influence over Lebanon’s institutions. His story became a painful reminder of what happens when a terrorist organization is allowed to operate with power beyond the authority of the state.

This legislation represents an important step toward empowering the Lebanese Armed Forces, restoring the authority of the Lebanese state, supporting communities affected by Hezbollah and holding accountable those who obstruct Lebanon’s efforts to disarm the organization.

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and James Lankford (R-OK)...

07/03/2026

Dear Friends,

As we celebrate Independence Day, we pause to appreciate the liberties we enjoy as Americans and the responsibilities that come with protecting them.

The mission of the Amer Foundation was born from firsthand experience with injustice and wrongful detention. The story of Amer Fakhoury reinforced our belief that liberty, human dignity, and the rule of law are values worth defending and advancing.

This Independence Day, we must not forget the Americans and legal residents who remain wrongfully detained abroad and the families who continue to await their safe return. Too often, innocent individuals become bargaining chips simply because of their nationality. Their stories remind us that the principles we celebrate on July Fourth carry responsibilities that extend beyond our borders.

As we mark our nation’s independence, may we renew our commitment to liberty, justice, and the inherent dignity of every person. We wish you and your loved ones a safe and meaningful Independence Day weekend.

Warm regards,

The Amer Foundation

06/25/2026

“Our family wants to see a peaceful, sovereign, and prosperous Lebanon, and we welcome any effort that genuinely reduces violence and helps Lebanon move toward stability.

However, lasting peace cannot come at the expense of accountability. True stability in Lebanon requires ensuring that terrorist organizations like Hezbollah no longer hold the power to intimidate, detain, and silence innocent people.”

— Zoya and Guila Fakhoury, Co-Founders, The Amer Foundation

Experts warn the U.S. must remember Hezbollah has American blood on its hands as Iran nuclear talks include Lebanon ceasefire as a key condition.

06/20/2026

As the Trump Administration prepares for another round of talks with Iranian officials in Switzerland on Sunday, we urge negotiators to remember the Americans who remain unjustly detained by the Iranian regime. While diplomatic progress is important, the freedom of innocent Americans must not become a secondary consideration. Any lasting agreement with Iran should include a clear commitment to securing the release of those wrongfully held and ending the practice of hostage diplomacy.

05/29/2026

This week, Amer Foundation President Guila Fakhoury appeared on MTV Lebanon to share her family’s experience growing up in South Lebanon and the lasting impact these events had on their lives.

In our latest blog, we reflect on the experiences of families from South Lebanon, the challenges they faced, and why preserving these personal stories is an important part of documenting Lebanon’s history.

We would like to thank MTV Lebanon and the Beirut Today team for providing a platform for individuals from South Lebanon to share their
perspectives. Read the full blog below.

For many Lebanese, May 25 is celebrated as Liberation Day, marking Israel’s withdrawal from South Lebanon and the start of a new chapter for the country. For many families from the South of Lebanon, however, that day carries a different meaning. Recently, MTV Lebanon aired an episode of Beirut Tod...

05/08/2026

This past week in Washington was Hostage Week, a time where families of U.S. hostages came together to advocate for their loved ones, honor those impacted by wrongful detention and captivity, and stand united in a shared mission to bring every hostage home.

Throughout the week, there were numerous meaningful events dedicated to hostage families and the broader hostage advocacy community, including the James W. Foley Freedom Awards, which continues to honor the legacy of James Foley and raise awareness for hostages and wrongful detainees around the world. Hostage US also held a powerful gathering bringing together families, advocates, and supporters, while Hostage Aid Worldwide hosted an event honoring Diane Foley for her tireless dedication and advocacy on behalf of hostage families everywhere.

Guila and Zoya, daughters of the late U.S. hostage Amer Fakhoury, had the honor of attending and representing their father throughout the week’s events. Hostage Week serves as a reminder that no family should have to face these battles alone, and that through unity, advocacy, and shared support, these voices continue to push for justice and the safe return of all hostages.

04/21/2026

South Lebanon Relief Fund Update

The Amer Foundaiton’s South Lebanon Relief Fund is already making a direct impact on the ground.

The first round of aid has been delivered to families in Marjeyoun, Klayaa, and Rmeich:

* $7,500 distributed in Marjeyoun
* $3,000 distributed in Klayaa
* $4,000 distributed in Rmeich

We are now preparing the next phase of support to reach additional families across the south.

The need remains urgent. Many communities are still not receiving adequate assistance, and the humanitarian situation continues to be critical.

If you’re able to help, please consider donating through our website (AmerFoundation.org) or via Venmo .

Thank you for standing with South Lebanon.

04/15/2026

Yesterday marked a historic moment between Lebanon and Israel. For the first time since 1983, ambassadors
from both nations met face-to-face in Washington, DC. While this meeting signals a potential opening for diplomacy, it comes amid ongoing war and immense human suffering.

Despite Hezbollah’s opposition to direct talks, Lebanon’s participation reflects an important moment where the Lebanese government asserted its sovereignty and acted in the interest of its people and the future of the nation.

At the Amer Foundation, we believe that diplomacy must be rooted in the protection of human life and the dignity of those most affected. Today, over a million people in Lebanon remain displaced, families are separated, and entire communities—especially in the south—continue to endure the consequences of a war they did not choose. Hezbollah has been infiltrating the government for 40 years, and causing pain and suffering to the Lebanese. We are happy to see Lebanon free itself from Hezbollah and Iran’s grip for the first time.

As much as we are happy to see this meeting takes place, this meeting must not be symbolic. It must lead to real action: an end to violence, protection for civilians, and a future where the people of Lebanon can live in safety, and peace.