Netanyahu Holds Social Media Live, Former Hostage Voices Fears of Palestinian Government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted a live social media broadcast on Tuesday as part of the Likud party's election campaign, allowing the public to join the stream. Among the participants was freed hostage Rom Balslevski, who expressed his intention to vote for the right-wing, stating, "I am afraid a Palestinian government will be established here again." Balslevski questioned Netanyahu about why Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot decided to leave the war cabinet at a critical juncture, especially while he was being held captive in Gaza.

Netanyahu responded by attributing their departure to an inability to withstand pressure from protests in Kaplan Street and from the United States, which urged an end to the war and a halt to operations in Rafah and the Philadelphi Corridor. The Prime Minister asserted that without continued military pressure, the hostages would not have been released, and he expressed relief at Balslevski's return. He contrasted the former ministers' inability to handle pressure with the need for resilience, stating they "simply ran away."

Balslevski recounted his experience in Rafah, expressing pride in the Israeli military's actions as buildings collapsed around him. Despite acknowledging significant differences with Netanyahu, he thanked the Prime Minister for the efforts that led to his and other hostages' release, urging him not to relent in the war against Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu concluded the exchange by thanking Balslevski and wishing him and his family well.

The broadcast occurred amidst the ongoing election campaign, with the article referencing other related content about election mechanics and party performance.