Freed hostage Keith Siegel opened up about how his experience in Hamas captivity brought him closer to his Jewish roots during an emotional interview on Kol Barama Radio Wednesday morning.
“I was held in captivity with Gali and Ziv Berman from Kibbutz Aza; we shared a special bond. I also met Omri Miran and Matan Angrest after more than two months; his wounds still hadn’t healed. We experienced abuse, but we became stronger together,” Siegel said.
Reflecting on his spiritual journey, Siegel admitted that his connection to Judaism had been distant when he was younger. “As a teenager, Judaism didn’t speak to me, but in captivity, I reconnected,” he shared.
He explained how, despite the harsh conditions, he rediscovered tefillos and blessings he had once known. “Some prayers I remembered from my childhood, and we taught each other some of the verses and blessings. I said Shema Yisrael every day and made blessings over my food. Since my release, I’ve continued this spiritual strengthening,” he said.
Siegel also revealed that, like many other freed captives, he faced ongoing pressure from his captors to abandon his faith. “I was moved through 33 places—tunnels, schools, apartments, even stairwells—and throughout the entire period, they tried to convince me to convert to Islam,” he recalled. “They told me to repeat phrases I didn’t understand. But the more they pushed me to become a Muslim, the more it strengthened my feeling that I am part of the Jewish people, who have endured so much suffering.”
He said that the strength he drew from Jewish history and collective resilience became a source of hope in the darkest moments. “I drew great strength from all the Jews who suffered through the generations. That’s when I began to bless and pray — and it really gave me strength.”
Throughout his captivity, Siegel said, the sense of solidarity and support from the people of Israel gave him hope. “I’m fighting for my four friends [still held captive], and not just for them, but for all the hostages. The rallies and campaigns that were held in Israel, I saw when I was in Gaza and it helped to know that I wasn’t forgotten. That also strengthens the families who need support.”
Siegel concluded with a heartfelt plea to the country’s leadership: “I hope the voice of the majority reaches the Prime Minister and decision-makers. We have a chance to save lives and bring the fallen to a proper burial.”
{Matzav.com}
