Mother of freed hostage Yagil Yaakov criticizes Minister Amichai Eliyahu over celebratory post

Renana Goma, the mother of freed hostages Or and Yagil Yaakov, sharply criticized Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu in an interview with ynet’s studio after he posted on X about the killing of Zakhi Yusuf Mahmoud Abu Mustafa, whom she said was involved in Yagil’s abduction.

Goma said Eliyahu had opposed a deal to bring children home, and told him, “You are responsible, together with this government, for the kidnapping of 250 civilians, including my children.” She added that someone who opposed an agreement to free children and women should, at minimum, “sit quietly.”

She also said she had not heard any apology from him. Referring to his post, which said, “We did not forget you,” she asked, “Did you not forget us? So where is the help? Where were you at the funerals and shivas?”