Agam Berger demands Golan stop using her October 7th videos

Hamas hostage survivor Agam Berger has responded sharply to a new campaign video by the Democrats party led by Yair Golan, demanding an immediate halt to the use of her images and footage from the October 7th terror attack.

The video, published under the title "Remember," features difficult documentation from the October 7th terror attack, including scenes from the massacre and abductions to Gaza, alongside sharp political messages criticising the government's conduct. The clip incorporates footage from inside the safe room where Berger sheltered before being kidnapped.

In a direct response posted on her Instagram account under the party's video, Berger wrote: "He whose intention is toward truth and who girds himself for battle for the sake of truth always wins, and the truth is that we prevail not by strength but by the strength of merit and the merit of our forefathers."

Immediately afterward, Berger added an unequivocal demand: "And do not use videos in which I appear in the safe room."

The Democrats party video calls for political change and is accompanied by narration: "Remember those who abandoned the sons and daughters, the soldiers male and female, the kibbutz members and neighbourhood residents, the dancers who fled for their lives into the fields and were abducted into tunnels." Alongside the criticism, the video praises participants in protests and activities for the return of the hostages, concluding with a call ahead of the elections.

Berger's words generated significant response on social media, as she expressed clear objection to the use of her images and the trauma she experienced for the purposes of political propaganda and campaigning.

It should be noted that Berger has participated throughout the past year in numerous public events, including the central Selichos gathering at the Western Wall plaza attended by some 100,000 worshippers, which featured a special live broadcast to Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. She has also met with gedolei Yisrael, including a moving meeting with HaRav Yigal Cohen shlita, in which the Rav praised the extraordinary spiritual strength she displayed in captivity.

The Democrats party led by Yair Golan is in the midst of an intensive election campaign ahead of elections taking place tomorrow (Tuesday). The video that prompted Berger's response is part of the party's efforts to mobilise public support through use of documentation from the October 7th attacks.