From the Liveblog of
Friday, September 12, 2025
Tsurkov says she was tortured in captivity, highlights plight of Gaza hostages in call with PM
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
In her Thursday call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after her release from captivity in Iraq, Israeli academic Elizabeth Tsurkov quickly makes a point to highlight the plight of the hostages.
In footage of the call posted by Tsurkov’s sister Emma, Netanyahu can be heard beginning the conversation by asking Elizabeth how she’s feeling.
“I went through some difficult things — torture in Iraq. It will take time to deal with it,” she says, thanking the Israeli medical teams and staff of the hostages directorate in the Prime Minister’s Office for their assistance.
Elizabeth's conversation with PM Netanyahu expressing gratitude and calling for the release of all remaining hostages. #BringThemAllHomeNow pic.twitter.com/e93R42fwO3
— Emma Tsurkov #FreeElizabeth (@emma_tsurkov) September 12, 2025
She then quickly turns to the issue of hostages in Gaza.
“Yesterday, Gali and Ziv Berman had a birthday. And I tell you from personal experience that birthdays are the hardest days in captivity, and I wish for all the hostages in Gaza a speedy return to their families,” she says.
Netanyahu says he is working on that issue and hopes that all of the hostages will soon be returned.
Tsurkov then raises the importance of combating the presence of Iranian proxies in Iraq, noting that she is one of thousands who have been negatively impacted by groups like Kataeb Hezbollah, who kidnapped her in 2023.
The Times of Israel Community.