Eli Sharabi, a former hostage, slammed Prime Minister Netanyahu for joking that he has lost weight since October 7, calling the remark an embarrassing and irresponsible statement. "I lost a bit more weight than him," Sharabi said, according to Israeli media.
Former hostage Eli Sharabi, a survivor of Hamas captivity, sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday for a remark made during an interview on Channel 14. When asked how he had changed since October 7, Netanyahu quipped that he had lost some weight — a comment that drew outrage from hostage families and political rivals alike.
Sharpening his criticism after earlier suggesting a meeting with Netanyahu would not yield positive results, Sharabi said the prime minister's joke was "embarrassing" and displayed "chutzpah and irresponsibility." As The Zioneer has previously reported, the weight-loss remark has already sparked condemnation from MKs and reservists, with some accusing Netanyahu of trivializing the national trauma while 59 hostages remain in Gaza.
Sharabi lost family members on October 7 and was held in Hamas captivity for months before his release. His public rebuke underscores the deepening rift between the government and the hostage community.
2 developments
- DevelopingNetanyahu jokes he lost weight when asked how he changed since October 7
- DevelopingEli Sharabi suggests meeting with Netanyahu would not yield positive results
- DevelopingReserve officer Tal Gilboa attacks MK Cohen over response to Netanyahu weight joke
- DevelopingMK Gilad Kariv confronts PM Netanyahu in the Knesset over weight-loss remarks
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