Former Gaza hostage Rom Braslavski on Sunday wrote a post on Facebook detailing the treatment he has received from Israel’s officials since his release.
“The Defense Ministry, the government, the Hostage Headquarters, the police, and all the governmental bodies are overwhelmingly neglecting me, screening my calls and writing to me that it’s late.”
Braslavski explained that since returning home, neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nor National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reached out to him, stating he felt only “contempt” from the government.
“Sixty thousand shekels. That’s the grant that a Hamas captive survivor receives after two years. It’s just a shame, and Netanyahu or Ben-Gvir still haven’t made contact. NOTHING,” he wrote.
“So for everyone who is quick on the keyboard and responds to hostage campaigns with: ‘Why donate to them,’ ‘They’re extortionists,’ ‘Their families are thieves,’ ‘Why donate to them, the state gives them enough,’ well, here I am breaking all your stigmas: The state does not give enough. The Defense Ministry and the state are laughing in our faces,” Braslavski wrote.
'Not the job of the people; it is the job of the state'
“It is only thanks to you that millions have already been raised for all the hostages! Which is not the job of the people; it is the job of the state.”
Braslavski explained that since returning from Hamas captivity, he suffered from extreme panic attacks every day.
“I have around 10 panic attacks a day. Panic attacks involving very rapid heartbeats, sweating, stuttering, tremors, and even shouting and violence,” he explained, adding that his suffering goes “far beyond Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.”
Despite his turmoil, Braslavski concluded by thanking the people of Israel for their continued support during his recovery.
“You are my strength, you are what gives me the energy and fuel to continue the journey back to life. I promise I won’t let anything break me, nothing! I love you, People of Israel.”