The former, frail and haggard; the latter, healthy and in good spirits. Some Western mainstream media did focus on some of the Palestinians who had been held in Israel for years – most without charges or trail, due to the occupation power’s notorious system of administrative detention. Some of those released were unable to walk. But the media never paused to relay the statement by the Russian-Israeli Alexander Trufanov, who was released in an earlier exchange in February but typifies the experience of all hostages. Israel has attempted to suppress this statement, which I present here without further comment:
“Your kindness will forever be etched on my soul. I spent 498 days among you. Despite the oppression and aggression you endured, I learned from you the true meaning of manhood, pure bravery, humanity, and respect for values. Even in captivity, you were free, while I, being free, was a prisoner. You protected my life. Like a father treats his sons with love, you cared for my dignity, health, and honour.
“Though I was in the hands of people fighting for their land and stolen freedom, and while my government was committing the worst genocide against a besieged nation, you neither starved me nor humiliated me. I saw the real meaning of manhood in your eyes. I understood the value of sacrifice by living among you. I saw you smiling even in the face of death, against an enemy armed with weapons of mass destruction, while you had nothing but your own bodies.
“Even if I tried, I couldn’t find the words to truly express your worth and status, or to reflect my astonishment and admiration for your noble character. Does your faith really teach you to treat prisoners this way? How great is that belief that raises you to such a level where all man-made laws of human rights fall apart, and all protocols of war pale in comparison to your example.
“Even in the harshest of times, your justice and mercy stood out – not just as slogans, but in your actual behaviour. You never compromised on your principles, no matter how dark the circumstances were. Believe me, if I ever return, I will live among you as a dedicated student, because I have learned the truth from your people. I have realised that you are not just the owners of the land, but the owners of principles and justice.”
* A version of this article appears in print in the 23 October, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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