Hostage Survivor Agam Goldstein-Almog Criticizes Netanyahu for Silence Amid Eden Ben Zaken Concert Appearance

Agam Goldstein-Almog, a survivor of captivity, publicly condemned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his ongoing silence following her release, expressing her frustration after Netanyahu attended a concert by singer Eden Ben Zaken on August 20, 2026. Goldstein-Almog posted on Instagram, calling Netanyahu's presence at the event "a joke and a spit in my face," criticizing him for not contacting her, taking responsibility, or expressing sorrow for her loss during his tenure. She highlighted the contrast between Netanyahu receiving applause at the concert and his failure to meet with her as head of state after her release.

During the concert at Menora Mivtachim Arena, Ben Zaken paused her performance to introduce Netanyahu and his wife, who were warmly received by the audience. Netanyahu addressed the crowd, praising the Israeli people and the singer. However, Goldstein-Almog’s post underscored the disconnect between the public celebration and the lack of personal outreach to survivors like herself.

Goldstein-Almog is not alone in her experience; other hostages released after captivity, including Amit Susana and Ilana Gritchveski, have also reported no contact from Israeli officials. Susana noted that only one minister reached out to her, while Gritchveski stated at a June 2024 protest that no ministers had called her. Similarly, Maya Shem and Luis Har, both released after months in captivity, shared that no calls or personal support came from Netanyahu despite his role in authorizing their rescue operations.

This collective silence from Israeli leadership has sparked criticism from survivors and the public, highlighting a perceived lack of empathy and responsibility from the government towards those who endured captivity. The issue remains unresolved as survivors continue to seek acknowledgment and support from their leaders.