"We were deceived:" Mother of James Foley, executed by ISIS, says family felt abandoned by government

WASHINGTON — The mother of American journalist James Foley, who was publicly beheaded in August 2014 by the Islamic State, says her family felt abandoned by the American government.

She wants to see a review of the U.S. hostage policy.


Testifying at a House hearing, Diane Foley of Rochester, New Hampshire, demanded proof that the current U.S. policy not to negotiate to seek the release of Americans held captive abroad is actually saving lives and decreasing the rate of Americans being captured.

Diane Foley

Foley says she fears that the U.S. policy not to engage with her son's captors led the U.S. to underestimate the group and their deep hatred for the United States.

She wondered whether the U.S. would have been able to learn about the group by at least talking with them.

"We were deceived as an American family. We were told repeatedly that Jim was their highest priority, your highest priority. We trusted our government to help him return home," Diane Foley said.

She said airstrikes that likely killed Jihadi John are "small solace, because they won't bring James back."

Jihadi John is believed to be the masked man seen in brutal ISIS execution videos -- including one showing the execution of James Foley.