JJ in focus: Hostage families demand dialogue about Israel's exclusion!

JJ in focus: Hostage families demand dialogue about Israel's exclusion!

On May 29, 2025, the families of Evyatar David and Guy Gilboa-Dalal are concerned for the well-being of their loved ones who have been held hostage in Gaza for over 600 days. In an emotional call, they invite the Austrian Eurovision Song Contest winner JJ to a dialogue. This move follows JJ's controversial comments calling for Israel to be banned from the competition. The hostage siblings want JJ ​​to understand the reality of the hostage situation and ask him not to hide. Ilay David, Evyatar's brother, emphasizes that they want to help him understand the complex situation in the Middle East. Gal Gilboa-Dalal, Guy's sister, adds that music should be used to unite people rather than divide them.

The discussion was reignited by a video distributed via the X platform. The families had already written JJ a letter the previous week, but it went unanswered. JJ, who won the Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Wasted Love" and brought the competition to Austria in 2026, expressed disappointment in an interview that Russia was excluded but Israel was not. These views led to nationwide outrage.

The cruel reality of being held hostage

Evyatar and Guy were kidnapped on October 7, 2022 during the Nova music festival. The conditions of their captivity are alarming; They live in a narrow tunnel 30 meters underground, tied up and locked in unsanitary conditions. The mothers of the two hostages, Merav Gilboa-Dalal and Galia David, reported on the unbearable living conditions of their sons. Ex-hostages such as Omer Vankert and Tal Shoham described how the two lived in a room that barely had room for four mattresses and had a latrine-like compartment that was visible.

Guy and Evyatar's health is worrying. They suffer from malnutrition, psychological stress and medical problems that go untreated. Evyatar has not had his glasses for a year and a half and his vision is severely limited. These relationships are not isolated; Israeli Health Ministry reports reveal that nearly all hostages were subjected to severe torture, including physical and psychological violence, and inadequate medical care during their captivity.

Public reactions and pressure on the government

There is growing pressure among the Israeli public on the government to take measures to release the hostages. In Tel Aviv, more than 1,000 people demonstrated for the return of the hostages from Hamas violence. Some participants in the demonstration criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his handling of this crisis situation and the unsuccessful negotiations that have been going on for months. Einav Zangauker, the mother of a hostage, expressed her dream of the hostages' return during the demonstration and raised allegations against the government for its inaction.

Questions arose again yesterday about the whereabouts of the remaining hostages, as reports suggested many may already be dead. Given the existing dangers and the ongoing torture by the kidnappers, the situation remains tense and urgent for both the relatives and society as a whole.