Omer Shemtov shares his hostage ordeal

Over 1500 supporters under 40 recently filled three sold-out UIA Young Leadership events in Sydney and Melbourne to hear returned hostage Omer Shemtov share his story of 505 days in Hamas captivity, as well to support Shavim – UIA’s early-intervention program preventing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Standing on the stage, Shemtov declared, “I am Omer Shemtov, and I am a free man.”

Shemtov spoke of his happiness to be home and of the staged release by Hamas and said, “Yes, it was scary … I could see the real hate in their eyes but I was so happy to go back home.”

He joked about walking across the stage to receive his “Hamas graduation certificate” and being forced to kiss the heads of his captors.

“The cameraman comes up to me and he told me, kiss his forehead and I was hesitating and then, he tells me again, forcefully, kiss his forehead NOW. So, I said to myself, I’m gonna kiss his head and then I’m going to go back home. It doesn’t matter to me.”

Shemtov described tiny acts of defiance and big acts of faith, his daily prayers and a quiet pact with God. “Every day I woke up and said Modeh Ani. I thanked God for the breath in my lungs, for the food on my plate – for everything I have and everything I don’t have.” In the tunnels he learned Arabic and stayed alive by doing whatever it took to ingratiate himself to his captors – describing himself as their “go-to handyman in the tunnels”.

From his remarks, it was clear Shemtov was not broken by captivity. On the helicopter ride back into Israel, he wrote on a whiteboard, “Everything is okay now. Thank you to the brave soldiers and to Am Yisrael … P.S. I want a burger.” When he arrived at the hospital, thousands of burgers were waiting for him.

In Melbourne, when Shemtov was asked by moderator Zoe Fried why he continues to share his story, he said, “People come up to me and say, ‘Because of you, I believe again … I have hope.’ If I can spread light, I’ll do it. It’s a purpose. And to be here to raise funds for those that sacrificed so much to save me – that’s a blessing.”

Shemtov was referring to fundraising for Shavim, a national early-intervention program delivered with UIA partners to prevent PTSD before it takes hold.

“Shavim gives people tools before trauma becomes their identity,” said Caroline Sakinofsky, president of UIA Victoria Young Leadership. “It’s evidence-based therapy, family sessions and resilience training so those who have served can find their footing again. We’re moving from crisis to rebuild – body, mind and community.”

Sakinofsky said on the night, “Tonight isn’t just another Israel event. It’s a milestone. After two years of heartbreak, we can finally exhale a little and look forward together. We are the generation that says Hineini – Here I am – and together we’ll carry the rebuild.”

To find out about Young Leadership events follow @uiayl in NSW and

@youngleadershipuiavic in Victoria or to donate to Shavim visit uiaaustralia.org.au/project/shavim