Marc Fogel: Sister of US man excluded from prisoner swap felt ‘betrayal’

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Thursday, the day of the prisoner swap, that the US was still “actively working to get his (Mark Fogel’s) release”.

When asked about the American’s case the following day, President Biden said that “we’re not giving up on that”.

Asked whether that gave her hope, Anne said: “I’m playing to whatever hope I can so yes, to a certain degree.

“The administration pulled off a masterful, incredible swap and they should be congratulated… and I’m very happy for the return of Paul and Evan and Alsu.

“I just wished my brother was among them.”

Anne said her message to the White House was: “Please, please do everything you can to get him out. He’s the oldest one there, and he’s the most infirm. Please help us.”

White House National Security Council deputy adviser, Jonathan Finer, said on CBS’ Face the Nation on Sunday that “we worked to try to get Marc included in the deal that consummated last week”.

“And we are right back at it to try to get Marc back to the United States and unite (him) with his family.”

He said that officials work on Mr Fogel’s case “every single day”.

Mr Finer declined to predict whether the American might be returned by the end of the Biden administration in January.