Born in Israel in 1942, Ory Slonim grew up amidst the ravages of the country’s War of Independence. Ory came from a seventh-generation family that lived in Hebron, grew up in Tel Aviv, married, and became a successful lawyer.
In 1986, Israeli President Haim Herzog appointed Ory as special counsel to the Defense Minister for issues of POWs & MIAs, from the civilian world, concentrating on families. Ory enlisted in the mission, gaining senior cooperation with the Mossad. For his work, he accepted a payment of one Israeli Shekel per year.
Over the next thirty-six years, Ory searched the world for young IDF soldiers, pilots and reservists who were captured in battles and never heard from again. His mission to find the missing boys saw him traveling to nations that did not recognize Israel, and meeting with terrorist representatives. In the capacity of knocking on doors worldwide, and on families of the POWs & MIAs, Ory became known as the “Door Knocker.”
In addition, Ory has tirelessly worked for Variety – the Children’s Charity, having served as President and Chairman of the organization in Israel and as International President between 2003 – 2005.
In 2011 Ory was honored by President Shimon Peres with the Israeli Presidential Medal of Distinction.
On this episode of The One Way Ticket Show, Ory shares his one way ticket to a future in a place where all soldiers, POWs & MIAs will be back home and where children in need will be okay.
During our conversation, Ory also shares what it’s like dealing with terrorists and non-state actors, the painful conversations he had with families of POW-MIAs, draws from Moliere who said how uncertainty is uglier than the worst certainty, and highlights the importance of giving.
For more, pick up a copy of Ory's book: "A Knock At The Door: The Story of My Secret Work with Israeli MIAs and POWs".
Matt Gutman is ABC News’ Chief National Correspondent based in Los Angeles. He reports for all ABC News broadcasts and platforms, including “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “20/20,” “Good Morning America” and “Nightline.” He has reported for ABC from 40 countries across the globe.
A multiple award-winning correspondent, Matt has covered the COVID-19 crisis, the protests in American streets following the death of George Floyd, the immigration crisis, and countless foreign and domestic terror attacks. Over the past half-decade, he has been one of the most frequently used correspondents on “20/20.” Matt’s tireless reporting helped “20/20” win an Emmy® for its documentary on the 2017 Las Vegas massacre and a Christopher Award for its reporting on the Thai cave rescue. He followed every step of that treacherous mission to save the 12 boys and their soccer coach from a flooded cave in Thailand. Matt subsequently authored “The Boys in the Cave,” which chronicled the heroics of a motley crew of cave diving misfits, the US Airforce, and Thai Navy Seals who spearheaded the rescue.
Previously based in Miami, Matt won awards for his coverage of the Trayvon Martin Shooting and the BP Oil spill. From 2013-2018 he hosted the ABC Television Network’s Saturday morning show, “Sea Rescue,” which won the 2016 Emmy for “Outstanding Children’s Series.”
Before joining ABC News in 2008 where he started at ABC News Radio, Matt was a Jerusalem-based reporter for seven years, covering every major conflict in the Middle East.
Matt is married and a father of two. He is a graduate of Williams College in Massachusetts.
On this episode, Matt discusses his second book, “No Time to Panic: How I Curbed My Anxiety and Conquered a Lifetime of Panic Attacks”.
As an added bonus, Matt shares a new one way ticket – to the room in Tallahassee, Florida during the November 2000 election where the hanging chads were selected.