Political Promises to Hostage Families Under Scrutiny

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage survivor Matan Zangauker, published a detailed social media post Monday revealing what she described as a broken political promise. According to Zangauker, Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, had guaranteed her a reserved spot near the top of the party's Knesset list, only to reverse his decision after she had fulfilled her end of the agreement.

Zangauker wrote that Golan approached her in February, as early elections appeared likely. "In that meeting, I was offered a reserved spot at the top of the list, immediately after the sitting Knesset members," she recounted. After deliberating whether this was the right path for her, she accepted Golan's offer and they reached an understanding.

From that point forward, she said, she was instructed to keep the arrangement confidential. Throughout the following months, Golan's team maintained regular contact with her. "During this entire period, the commitment was reaffirmed on several occasions directly with Yair himself," she explained. "Each time it was emphasized to me that a word is a word, that our agreement was in effect, and that after the primary candidates were selected, my reserved position at the top of the list would be announced."

Einav Zangauker (Photo: Chaim Goldberg/FLASH90)

As part of their understanding, Zangauker said she was asked to maintain a low media profile until the public announcement. "Of course I kept my commitment and maintained the confidentiality of our agreement, lowered my profile and did not explore other options, such as participating in the primaries, nor did I pursue other possibilities," she wrote. "I fulfilled my side of the agreement."

However, Golan ultimately decided not to use the reserved-spot mechanism that party rules allowed him. "Unfortunately, and as has been reported, Golan decided otherwise. That's the whole story," Zangauker concluded.

Despite her disappointment, Zangauker emphasized she is moving forward. "This episode is over and already behind me," she wrote. "I promised and I will deliver: I intend to repay my enormous debt to the people of Israel and do everything to make things better here. In the weeks remaining until the election, we must ensure that the government of failure does not succeed in its scheme to obscure and make people forget the massacre, the abandonment, and the complete failure it is responsible for on all fronts."

Yair Golan (Photo: Avshalom Sassoni/FLASH90)

Zangauker outlined her vision for the country: "Together we will rebuild a state where the proper order is in place: equality in rights, obligations, and opportunities. For all of us. In such a state—true unity will be possible. In such a state—it will be possible to create a real bridge to heal the terrible rifts that have been created here. Immediately after the elections, we will work toward repair, unity, and healing of Israeli society."

At the end of her post, Zangauker returned to her personal and family story. "Every morning anew, my children and I choose rehabilitation and healing. When I look at them, I see before my eyes a whole life that we got back," she wrote. "Not for a second do I forget the masses in the streets who made this happen. Not for a second do I forget the families who did not get to experience these moments. I will continue to raise a clear and resounding voice for the repair of the state. I need all of you with me."

Zangauker became one of the central figures in the Hostages Families Forum and in public protests against the government. Her son Matan was abducted along with Ilana Gritzewsky from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz and was released in the recent deal after 738 days in captivity. After Gritzewsky returned in the first hostage exchange, Zangauker adopted a particularly sharp stance against the country's leadership.

Golan's announcement that he would not use the reserved-spot mechanism came after a period of contact between the parties. According to the Democrats' party constitution, Golan was permitted to reserve spots for candidates at either position number 2 or number 10 on the party list, but chose not to exercise this option for Zangauker.