Hostage Survivor Claims Memorial Event Selects Speakers

Rom Breslavsky, a hostage survivor, claims that organizers of a memorial event for the October 7th victims are practicing "selection" among survivors, preventing some from speaking. Breslavsky stated he wished to speak at the "Kumo" movement's October 7th commemoration ceremony, scheduled for Wednesday in Tel Aviv's Yarkon Park, solely to honor his security team friends who were murdered at the Nova music festival. He alleged that his request to speak was initially met with a request for him to film a video announcement of his attendance, but when he insisted on speaking himself, the treatment changed.

Breslavsky reported that after a prolonged wait for a definitive answer, he was told he would not be allowed to speak, with the refusal attributed to reasons beyond the individual organizer's control. He emphasized that his intention was not to discuss politics but to commemorate the victims of the Nova massacre. Breslavsky criticized the event's perceived shift towards a political message, suggesting it has become primarily anti-Netanyahu and anti-government.

He further claimed that hostage survivors who criticize the government are being given prominence, citing Or Levy and Gadi Moses as examples. Breslavsky asserted that a survivor who expresses gratitude to Prime Minister Netanyahu would not be permitted to speak. He questioned the significant funding invested in the event, arguing that if its purpose is to commemorate October 7th, there is no justification for preventing him, as a survivor who lost friends, from speaking in their memory. Breslavsky reiterated his desire to participate and speak at the ceremony to honor his friends.