Mother of hostage Elkana Bokhbot: ‘We want to scream’

By Jessica Steinberg

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3 August 2025, 7:20 pm

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Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center

A gathering of the Shift 101 activist group calls for the release of the remaining hostages, August 3, 2025 in Jerusalem. (Courtesy Shift 101)

A group of activists and family members of hostages gather with the Shift 101 sit-in protest group on Azza Road near the Prime Minister’s Residence to call for their return.

“We’re stuck with a scream that wants to come out, that threatens to emerge,” says Ruhama Bokhbot, mother of hostage Elkana Bokhbot. “We want to scream, to scream of the threat to Evyatar or Rom, of all the hostages, but instead we come here and sit quietly and stop everything.”

Bokhbot is referring to the two recently released propaganda videos showing hostages Rom Braslavski and Evyatar David, each dangerously emaciated.

Tzvi Zussman, father of fallen soldier Sgt. First Class Ben Zussman, who was killed fighting in the Gaza Strip, also speaks at the gathering.

“We understand that the hostages will come when the government brings the war to an end, that’s the call, finish the war and bring them all home,” says Zussman to the quiet clapping of the activists.