Hostage Negotiator's Mother Recounts Disappointment with Netanyahu Couple

Einav Tsengauker, mother of Matan Tsengauker who was held hostage by Hamas, has spoken out about her experiences and disillusionment with Israeli leadership. After a period of public silence, Tsengauker shared her "worldview shift" and "deep disappointment" with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, in an interview with Channel 13.

Tsengauker, who became a prominent voice for hostage families, stated that prior to the October 7th attacks, she identified as right-wing. The reality of her son's abduction and captivity forced her to re-evaluate her beliefs and trust in the country's leadership. In the initial days, her family received conflicting information, including a 60% chance of Matan's death, fueling intense anxiety.

A pivotal moment for Tsengauker was a meeting with the Netanyahus and other hostage families. She recounted that Sara Netanyahu arrived with a stylist and that the Prime Minister focused heavily on his own past military service and his brother's heroism, rather than the families' grief. "I saw neglect from the Prime Minister and his wife," Tsengauker stated, feeling that their pain was being exploited for public relations. This was particularly painful for her, as she had long considered Netanyahu "Mr. Security."

Despite her criticisms, Tsengauker acknowledged that Prime Minister Netanyahu did contact her directly after she requested a meeting and invited her for a personal discussion. During her son's captivity, she also engaged in an unusual collaboration with security services, recording a message in Arabic for the captors, facilitated by the Shin Bet.

Following Matan's return, Tsengauker had hoped for a guaranteed spot on the "Democrats" party's electoral list. However, party leader Yair Golan decided against reserving spots for candidates, preventing her inclusion. Tsengauker expressed regret over this decision but affirmed her continued commitment to public life, believing that elected officials have the power to enact policy change.