Hostage Father-turned-Candidate Calls for Gaza Emigration, Rejects State Inquiry

Tzvika Mor, whose son Eitan was kidnapped from the Nova festival area on October 7, 2023, says his family’s experience shaped his politics, including his decision to run for the Religious Zionism party in the upcoming election. In a long interview on Ynet’s political podcast, he described Eitan’s recovery after nearly two years in captivity and repeated his hardline views on Gaza, hostages, Palestinians, and Israel’s institutions.

Mor said Eitan is “strong,” active, studies constantly, and has been improving his Arabic since returning. He said the captive learned by asking his guards for paper and pencils, traded English lessons for Arabic writing lessons, and became so fluent that “from his accent, you cannot tell he is Jewish.” Mor said he hopes his son will eventually help in the security services.

On hostage policy, Mor rejected negotiations with terror groups but said that once Israel chose to negotiate, he supported “the best deal for us,” insisting that no hostage be left behind. He defended his opposition to a phased deal and said the Forum of Hope he helped lead was built by parents, not by Netanyahu’s team. He also said he wants a state inquiry into the October 7 failures, but believes Israel’s political and social divisions make such a commission impossible under current conditions.

Mor said he does not trust the Supreme Court and opposes a judicial role in any inquiry. He argued Gaza’s solution is “only emigration,” adding, “We were supposed to expel them,” and called for Palestinians to be moved with international pressure and money, possibly under Donald Trump’s leverage. He also backed a more conservative, market-driven education system, defended his past anti-LGBTQ writings as a debate over “boundaries,” and said he wants the Religious Zionism party to reach 7 to 8 seats without losing votes.