Why Freed hostage Ofer Calderon Family's Thank-You Speech Stirred Controversy
As a family celebrates the return of their loved one from Hamas captivity, Sharon Calderon finds herself defending their heartfelt thank-you message amid a storm of hostile responses over who they chose - and chose not - to acknowledge for her brother-in-law's freedom.

The sister-in-law of recently released Hamas hostage Ofer Calderon revealed she received hostile messages overnight following the family's press conference, where they notably omitted thanking Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Sharon Calderon addressed the criticism on Facebook, explaining that she personally wrote the family's statement, which thanked French President Macron, the Hostages' Families support staff, security forces, bereaved families, and "the people of Israel who stood and continue to stand by our side." The statement also acknowledged President Trump and his team, the French government, and its consul.
"For those who missed it (apparently people with certain political views suffer from hearing problems), we're receiving significant criticism and harsh messages about our press statement today," Sharon Calderon wrote. "We thanked the French President because he truly did a lot for us. Not everything needs to be done with fanfare, and I have no need to thank those who don't deserve it."
Responding to the private messages she received, Calderon added: "I don't love all of you and still wish you only good. We have enough bad things."
She concluded by sharing a message from Ofer, who was freed last Saturday: "Don't wait for your loved ones to disappear from your lives, whether temporarily or forever - tell them you love them. You don't need to go to Gaza for that."
The French government, acknowledging Ofer's dual citizenship, made repeated diplomatic efforts to secure his freedom, joining the chorus of international voices calling for the release of all hostages. Calderon's family plainly feels that Netanyahu did not do enough to secure his release, and allowed him to languish in horrific conditions in Hamas captivity for 16 endless months.
It perfectly exemplifies Israel's hideous position during the hostage crisis, where they have been between a rock and a hard place, and even when they finally capitulated to a truly ridiculous deal, for many, it comes far too late.