"Take off your kippah": Hostage's family attacks MK Rothman

A loud confrontation broke out this morning (Monday) between family members of Matan Angerst, who is being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza, and Constitution Committee Chairman Simcha Rothman. This happened after family members asked for answers regarding the return of their loved ones.

Based on your earlier mention of the Merkaz Harav massacre anniversary, I assume you might be asking about "Matan Avraham" rather than "Matan Angrest" due to a possible typo or confusion with names tied to current events in Israel. However, since you specifically asked about "Matan Angrest" in this question, I’ll provide detailed information about him, as he is a distinct individual with a significant story relevant to recent times. If you intended someone else, please clarify.

Matan Angrest is a 22-year-old IDF soldier who was taken hostage by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Matan grew up in Kiryat Bialik, a city in northern Israel, as the eldest of four siblings in a close-knit family. A modest and quiet young man, he was passionate about soccer—particularly supporting Maccabi Haifa—and enjoyed PlayStation games, leaving his room untouched by his family since his abduction, a testament to their hope for his return.

On October 7, 2023, Matan was serving in a tank unit at the Nahal Oz military base near the Gaza border when Hamas launched its assault. Amid the chaos, his tank crew—including Itai Chen, Daniel Peretz, and Tomer Leibovitz—fought bravely, reportedly saving dozens of lives. However, Itai, Daniel, and Tomer were killed, their bodies abducted to Gaza, while Matan, severely injured and unconscious, was dragged from the tank and taken captive. His last message to his family, sent at 7:15 a.m. that day, was, "Take care of yourselves, everything is fine," before communication ceased.

For months, his family—parents Anat and Hagai, and siblings including his sister Adi—lived in uncertainty. Two weeks after the attack, his phone was tracked to Gaza, confirming his status as "kidnapped." A month later, a freed hostage from the November 2023 ceasefire reported spending a day with Matan in Gaza’s terror tunnels, offering the first hint he was alive.

In July 2024, Anat revealed at a Tel Aviv rally that the IDF had uncovered raw video footage from Hamas tunnels, showing Matan pleading with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "You must make this exchange between the prisoners in Israel and the prisoners here. I trust you." The audio, likely dictated by his captors, was publicly aired on September 14, 2024, during a protest, marking the first public sign of life.

On February 11, 2025, Anat announced a fresh update: recently released hostages confirmed Matan was still alive, though wounded and held under harsh conditions. Covered in burns and having endured severe interrogations, his situation as a soldier likely means tougher treatment by Hamas. His family, supported by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, continues to advocate tirelessly for his release, urging Netanyahu to expedite the next phase of any deal. As of today, March 3, 2025, Matan has been in captivity for 514 days.

His brother Ofir has confronted lawmakers, accusing them of "sacrificing" Matan by delaying deals, while his parents cling to memories of his smile and songs that once filled their home.

Rothman explained to the family: "The situation where families approach, and also attack out of their bitterness, is a situation that each person chooses to handle according to their understanding and will. We don't criticize families for what they say. A person is not held accountable during their time of grief." He turned to the hostage's father and said: "I don't think, from experience, that you want my answer, and that's okay, but don't complain that I'm not answering."

Rothman added, explaining why he wasn't responding: "I don't think my response will please you. We've already been in this situation. Let's stop here. I prefer your son returns but not in the way you're suggesting."

At this point, family members attacked: "You were at home observing Shabbat while he was fighting. It's very unfortunate that you are the one representing us. Apparently terrorists are more important to you than the lives of hostages. These are your people, it's a mitzvah. Take off your kippah, it's embarrassing, this is not how Jews behave."