Released hostage Amit Soussana awarded for courage

Former Israeli hostage Amit Soussana’s bravery at being the first person to speak out publicly about the sexual abuse and torture she suffered at the hands of her captors in Gaza was recognised by United States First Lady Melania Trump at the International Women of Courage Awards on 1 April.

Soussana, who celebrated her 41st birthday in South Africa in September last year, was one of seven other women who were given Women of Courage Awards at the 19th annual ceremony.

She spent 55 harrowing days in hell after Hamas terrorists abducted her from her Kfar Aza home on 7 October 2023 and on her return, she spoke out about some of the horrors she experienced in an interview with The New York Times and in Sheryl Sandberg’s documentary, Screams Before Silence.

Soussana, who was released from captivity on the last day of a weeklong truce in November 2023, was in South Africa in September 2024 with her friend and former longtime boyfriend, Eran Zaitoun, 45, as a part of The Base and Jewish National Fund Hostage Project. They were brought out to South Africa as one of the first in this project to “exhale after experiencing unimaginable trauma”, said Saul Jassinowsky, who founded the initiative.

Jassinowsky told the SA Jewish Report that he wasn’t surprised that Soussana won this award. “She is such a powerful personality, as well as warm and generous of heart,” he said. “She led a global campaign to raise awareness of the sexual abuse and violence perpetrated against hostages while in captivity and on Israelis on 7 October.

“She put her own trauma and fear aside to help others,” he said. While many released hostages who have come to South Africa as part of this project have spoken to the community about their experiences, Soussana wasn’t ready to speak to a crowd about her experience when she was here. She did, however, share her story with the SA Jewish Report.

Soussana was very taken with South Africa. She told the SA Jewish Report when she was here, “I love this country and this beautiful Jewish community. I never thought I’d be in a heavenly place like this, embraced by such warmth. I look up at the African sky, and remind myself that things could have turned out very differently.”

Though she said she had experienced moments of joy in South Africa for the first time in months, they had been tempered by feelings of guilt, anguish, and deep concern for the hostages still in captivity.

“I cannot move on with my life until every hostage is returned home,” Soussana said.

At the award ceremony on Tuesday, Soussana was reunited for the first time with fellow hostages South African Aviva Siegel and her husband, Keith, who were distinguished guests on the night. Soussana and the Siegels had been held together.

Soussana was recognised for her courage and leadership in the face of adversity.

On receiving her award, she said, “This is a deeply painful moment. While I’m here, my friends are still there. I’ve vowed never to stay silent – for all the women and all those still in captivity who cannot speak for themselves. We are about to celebrate Passover, but for the hostages, it will be their second in captivity. They cannot wait. Every day is unimaginable suffering. I call on the world to act now. I thank President Trump for everything he has done to help move a deal forward, and I urge him to continue until every last hostage is home.”

Said Aviva Siegel, “It was emotional to be here for Amit and to see her again. We’re here with her, supporting her, and we’ll stand by her every step of the way. We’re also here for those who haven’t come back yet, and we won’t stop until every last hostage is home.”