At the Jerusalem Post 2025 Annual Conference, a poignant moment emerged during a panel on Israel’s legal battles against terrorism and international bias. The discussion, led by diplomatic correspondent Amichai Stein, included attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, MK Simcha Rothman, and Yael Yativ, Senior Director of Development at Samson Assuta Ashdod University Hospital.
Yativ captivated the audience by presenting a wounded soldier, Yoav Zivoni, who suffered serious injuries in combat in Gaza, was in a coma for two weeks and over the next 4 months underwent 28 operations. “We are situated 20 miles from the Gaza border,” she said of her hospital. “On November 20, a helicopter landed from Gaza… the soldier unfortunately passed away, or so we thought. The rabbi walked into the trauma room, and the soldier, who had already been half-amputated on the helicopter, opened his eyes.”
Sivani, who had been in a coma for two weeks, was later brought onstage to a standing ovation. Yativ recalled visiting his mother during those uncertain days. “He was connected to every machine that you can imagine,” she said. “I walked up to her and I started crying. She said to me, ‘No, we don't cry. We are resilient.’”
With quiet strength, Sivani addressed the audience. “I wasn't preparing anything, but I can tell you that every day, when I look at the mirror, I see the scars that the war left on me,” he said. “But I always remember that I carry these scars with pride - because I know that I have fought for the nation of Israel and for the people of Israel.”