Yarden Gonen, sister of Hamas hostage Romi Gonen, appeared on Channel 13's news program Wednesday, criticizing the production crew of Big Brother Israel for their lack of cooperation in the campaign advocating for the release of the hostages.
"I have to share the great pain I felt from Channel 13," Gonen told host Lucy Aharish. "Big Brother premiered this week, and we knew about it in advance. But beyond the pain of isolating people in a house, fighting over food and cigarettes and crying that they miss home while sitting next to a jacuzzi, unaware of what’s happening outside—these incidents trigger the hostages’ families. We told ourselves that if we can't beat them, we'll join them. We're here to talk, to make a change, to be together and not apart."
Gonen explained that members of the campaign tried to meet with the show's producers but were disappointed with their response. "They didn't cooperate, didn't agree to put pictures of the hostages in the house, display the number of days the war has been going on, or mention that the hostages are still in Gaza. They agreed to play a song written by a hostage in the morning—but only as a random song to start the day, without acknowledging its significance."
"Why not show solidarity in these times?" she wondered. "Why post on Instagram that the participants will wear a yellow ribbon when they enter the house? How does that help anyone? Then to boast about it and ask what we think of it? It should be obvious that we all support the release of the hostages; it shouldn’t be just a box to tick off. It hurts me."
Big Brother isn’t the first reality show to air in Israel since the war in Gaza began and while hostages are still being held by Hamas. Previously, Master Chef and Peking Express were broadcast, and currently Dancing with the Stars is airing, with The Amazing Race expected to premiere soon.
The reality show’s premiere addressed the issue of hostages, with a large screen display advocating for their release. Gonen's comments reveal the production's behind-the-scenes handling of their conversations with the hostage families.
Channel 13 responded: "Like all Israeli citizens, we also long for and hope for the return of the hostages in Gaza, and this hope is present and will continue to be expressed throughout the show’s current season."