Hostage Survivor Barslavsky Slams Reporter Drucker Over 'Israel Underminer' Accusation

Hostage survivor Rom Barslavsky fiercely attacked Channel 13 anchor Raviv Drucker, after Drucker dedicated the opening of his program to Barslavsky's recent controversial remarks against left-wing activists. Barslavsky accused Drucker of presenting his comments out of context, failing to show the provocations that preceded his reactions.

Drucker had opened his segment by stating, "Hostage survivor Rom Barslavsky is driving crazy those who demonstrated for him in Hostages Square. He often attacks them insultingly. To Alon Li Green, who was very active in the protest, but also active against the occupation, he wrote, 'I am ashamed you demonstrated for me, your place is in jail for treason.'" Drucker also presented Barslavsky's comments about creator Hagai Levi, stating, "About creator Hagai Levi, who worked tirelessly for the release of the hostages, he wrote, 'A vile and pathetic person.' Some protesters are going crazy, what seems to them like ingratitude, and attacking him back."

Drucker acknowledged that Barslavsky should not be personally attacked due to his ordeal in captivity, saying, "Rom, you can support Netanyahu, strengthen Ben-Gvir, attack whomever you want as much as you want. After two years in Hamas captivity, you have a chain of immunity. No matter what you say, you must not be attacked personally." Drucker then played past remarks by Barslavsky's father against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, prefacing them with, "Yes, I am allowed to say I miss hearing your father a bit too."

Barslavsky responded with a sharp attack, calling Drucker "a zero, a zero, Raviv Drucker, everyone knows that." He questioned why Drucker didn't include Levi's response, which he claimed cursed and insulted him, and why Drucker normalized Alon Li Green's 'occupation.' "The moment someone attacks me, I will attack back. Go find other stories, you Israel-undermining journalist," Barslavsky stated. He also addressed Drucker's use of his father's words, saying, "How nice to hear that you miss hearing my father cry about his son kidnapped in Gaza, you moved me. And I still attack any person from any camp who took the issue of the hostages and turned it into politics. I do not support Netanyahu and do not strengthen Ben-Gvir. Do you call yourself a journalist?"