The family of Avera Mengistu, an Israeli civilian who has been held by Hamas since crossing into Gaza in 2014, met with Jason Greenblatt  President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East at the White House Wednesday evening.

The Mengistus are currently traveling throughout the United States, where they are meeting with American officials as well as various Jewish organizations whom they hope can pressure the US administration into helping them retrieve Avera from Gaza.

“It is outrageous that Hamas will not let him return home or communicate with his family,” Greenblatt tweeted Wednesday night.

Today I welcomed the family of Avera Mengistu to the White House. Avera has been held by Hamas in Gaza for over 1,000 days since he disappeared in September, 2014. It is outrageous that Hamas will not let him return home or communicate with his family. pic.twitter.com/dvWE5UzZC6

— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) November 15, 2017

Following their visit to Washington DC, the Mengistus are set to travel to New York, where they will be meeting with United Nations officials, as well as senior members of the Jewish Federations of North America.

The Mengistus want Jewish groups to pressure the Israel government, which they say isn’t doing enough to bring about the release of their son. According to the Mengistus, the last time any government official was in contact with them was a year and a half ago, and even then, the meetings only regarded what they were and weren’t allowed to say about the issue.

“Now, we intend to get everything out in the open,” the family said.