Rothman slams Israeli media for airing footage of emaciated hostages with families’ permission

MK Simcha Rothman of the far-right Religious Zionism party slams Israeli media outlets for making the “grave mistake” of carrying the propaganda videos of Israeli hostages published by Gaza terror groups.

His comments come after Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad published videos over the weekend of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, respectively, both of whom appeared severely emaciated and weak.

“It’s a grave mistake to watch the videos of the hostages and it’s a grave mistake to publish them,” Rothman tells Haredi radio station Kol Berama. “Even without watching the videos, I know that they are Hamas propaganda.”

Describing the videos as a “psychological missile,” the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chair says Israel already knows that the hostages are in “difficult” condition, and so there is no reason to watch the footage.

“These videos aim to demoralize and harm us,” he tells the radio station. “That’s why I’m confused by everyone who watches them and everyone who broadcasts them.”

Israeli media outlets only carry videos of hostages with the express permission of their families.

Some do not authorize media outlets to publish the footage, and others only allow still images or specific clips. Those who do allow the videos to be published do so to raise awareness of their plight and ensure that they remain in the public eye.