Compassion, not criticism

I've noticed a trend over the last few weeks since our last live h*stages came home.

It's been like this for a while, since they started coming home in the beginning, but it's much more pronounced now.

As our former h*stages are coming back into their personal lives and adjusting to the new level of notoriety and exposure from their ordeal, there has been a lot of criticism and conversation.

Whether it's strong statements about controversial topics made from emotional places, or being invited into painful stories about what actually happened over there. All along, the families have been facing a measure of this, too- the public commenting on how they were advocating for their loved ones, their opinions, their stories, or actions.

It's true- in the public sphere, there is always going to be chatter.

Opinions and busybodies.

Let's be honest, especially in Israel. We are one big family after all.

But lately, it feels like the stories we've been hearing are more p*inful.

Stories of s*xual ab*se and ass*ult that happened in G*za.

Reports indicate that some are struggling with to readjust to this new world where the sun shines and the darkness is still there.

The other day Rom Braslavski put out an apology video because people felt he was being too harsh in his response when he posted about the g*vernment on Facebook.

In my opinion-- Rom can say whatever he wants. You don't have to like it or agree. But whatever negative feelings he feels; are his. So much has been taken away from him. We cannot deny him his perspective.

He posted again a couple of days later, stating that when he posted that, he wasn't OK. He was in a bad place. I mean, of course he was? That doesn't mean we should be censoring him?

He posted another time explaining why he was not going to be joining the h*stage delegation who are traveling to Washington to meet Trump to thank him. He basically said, he's not OK. Too many panic attacks. Still feeling fragile and vulnerable.

I mean, I'm thrilled that there are others who feel well enough to go. It is wild that they can.

But it never should have been an expectation.

Guy Gilboa-Dalal just came out and told his story of s*xual ass*lt by the hands of H*mas too.

We have NO CLUE, truly, about the well-being of any of these ordinary individuals who have become extraordinary when they were taken captive, and the personal autonomy they employed in how they survived it.

Every single one of these individuals deserves nothing but tenderness and grace.

Presence when they want it and privacy as a general rule.

Support and understanding at all times, no matter the statements.

We don't get what they've been through. We can't even begin to imagine.

And now, as they begin to reintergrate back into Israeli society, recreate their place amongst us, and figure out what they want to do with their lives now that choices are back in their control...

Our job is to approach it all with empathy.

Compassion, not criticism.

Let love lead the way on this.