Hostage Survivor Calls for Apologies from Leaders
Rom Bar-Balesvsky, a former hostage held by Hamas, spoke at a "forgiveness event" in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square on Thursday, reflecting on his post-release struggles with trauma and criticizing state leadership. Bar-Balesvsky described living with post-traumatic stress daily, exacerbated by his refusal to take psychiatric medication, stating that the experience in Gaza "never leaves you."
He shared that he often spends holidays alone, finding large family gatherings difficult and that the loneliness sometimes reminds him of captivity. "You are 70% dead and 30% alive," he said, explaining his reluctance to leave home or go on vacations.
Bar-Balesvsky demanded apologies from various government and security officials, including the heads of the Mossad and Shin Bet, whom he accused of failing on October 7th. "I didn't see the army, I didn't see the Shin Bet, I didn't see the Mossad. I only saw Nuخba terrorists and the bodies of friends," he recounted.
Addressing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bar-Balesvsky called him the "central responsible party" for the October 7th events. He described their relationship as "hate and love," expressing hatred for being kidnapped under Netanyahu's leadership but love for his eventual release. "I hope one day he will also apologize," Bar-Balesvsky stated.
He declared his commitment to commemorating the October 7th massacre through lectures and speaking engagements, vowing to continue sharing his story until his last day, as he feels unable to move forward from the trauma.
