From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Ex-hostage Yarden Bibas meets with rock musician David Draiman on his visit to Israel
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
Former hostage and bereaved husband and father Yarden Bibas meets with musician David Draiman, lead singer of the band Disturbed, as the Jewish rocker visits Israel.
Bibas, a longtime fan of Draiman and his band, played one of the band’s songs during the February 26 funeral in Kibbutz Nir Oz for his wife, Shiri, and sons, Ariel, 4, and Kfir, 1, who were murdered in Hamas captivity. Their bodies were released home in February.
The two men have been in touch since the Bibas funeral and shared photos on social media of their meeting.
“Great to see my friend @yardenbibas here in Israel,” writes Draiman on Instagram. “This man is the living embodiment of strength and perseverance.
One of the sweetest and purest human beings on the planet. The very best of us. Anything, anytime, anywhere achi,” using the term for brother. “All the love… #amyisraelchai.”
Bibas shares the same photo, writing, “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
Draiman said that he is in regular contact with Yarden; the two men spoke the day after the funeral.
Draiman said that Yarden has told him that he and his eldest son, Ariel, would listen to hard rock in the car and would raise their hand in the “rock on” gesture.
The Times of Israel Community.