‘Get out’: Ex-hostage tells all Knesset members to resign, but first set up state commission of inquiry

Former hostage Rom Braslavski calls on all members of the Knesset, from the “extreme left to the extreme right” to resign, after first approving the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, invasion and massacre in which he was taken captive.

“Take responsibility and get out of our lives,” he says at a press conference at the Knesset organized by the October Council of bereaved families, former hostages, residents of the Gaza envelope and the north. The Knesset resumes activity today following a recess.

“The blood of everyone murdered on October 7 is on your hands,” he says. “And just before you go, establish the state commission of inquiry that will investigate what exactly happened here, so it never happens again.”

Holding up photos of his emaciated body while held captive in Gaza, Braslavski describes being surrounded by corpses at the Nova music festival on October 7, then being malnourished and tortured by his Hamas captors.

Braslavki, who was one of the final 20 captives released on October 13, 2025, asks why none of the Knesset members or ministers welcomed him home.

“None of you miserable people came to welcome me home, to apologize for what happened to me, and say: ‘I’m sorry this happened. I’m sorry it took us two years to bring you back. Here’s my aide’s phone number — we’ll help you with anything you need.’ Why did none of you do that?” says Braslavki, adding that he has to fight over whether he is considered 50 percent or 100% disabled as a wounded IDF veteran.

Braslavski was serving in the army during the October 7 attack, and was off duty that weekend.

“Shame on you,” adds Braslavski. “The people of Israel stopped truly living a long time ago, because you killed them.”

Other speakers at the press conference include Eyal Eshel, whose daughter Roni Eshel, a surveillance soldier, was killed on October 7, and Michel Illouz, whose son Guy Illouz was killed in captivity.

The council members say their mission for the coming months is to ensure that the October 7 massacre and politicians’ evasion of responsibility for the debacle become the main issue for voters in the upcoming elections.

“We, the families, will pursue this truth until our final day, for Guy, for all those murdered, for the hostages, and for the country that can no longer breathe under this government,” says Illouz. “This is the final session of the current Knesset. May we soon be able to say: good riddance.”