Hostage families were warned not to interview with Al Jazeera

Hostage families have been warned by security officials not to interview with Al Jazeera, following one interview in which the mother of a hostage was mocked.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 14:27

People gather in front of the United Nations Headquarters in Jerusalem demanding for action to be taken to return the hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, in Jerusalem November 13, 2023. (photo credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD) — People gather in front of the United Nations Headquarters in Jerusalem demanding for action to be taken to return the hostages kidnapped by Hamas during the October 7 attacks, in Jerusalem November 13, 2023.

(photo credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)

Hostage families were warned by security officials this week not to interview with Al Jazeera for fear they will not be given proper respect or even mocked, KAN News reported.

Al Jazeera had approached the Israeli organization working with the hostage families for an interview, which was allowed to set the ground rules for the discussion, including that the interview would be up to 10 minutes.

Mother of a hostage mocked

According to KAN, it was decided that the interviewee would be Merav Leshem Gonan, mother of Romi.

People carry placards during a protest calling for the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza who were seized from southern Israel on October 7 by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas gunmen during a deadly attack, at a square in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 11, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/AMMAR AWAD)

Shortly after the interview began, Al Jazeera surprised Leshem Gonan by bringing on a Hamas leader, who attacked her and said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the one responsible for delaying a hostage deal.

The interview lasted only about 40 seconds, and they embarrassed her on air.

Why did Leshem Gonan not leave the interview? Reportedly, she wanted to try to convey her message to the Arab world.