Former Gaza Hostage Emily Damari Casts Vote in Israel’s First Post-War Election

Emily Damari, who endured 471 days of captivity after being abducted during the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion of the northwestern Negev, shared an Instagram image celebrating her participation in the vote for Israel’s 26th Knesset. She recalled the hardships of her ordeal and expressed gratitude for the freedom to influence the country’s future. Former hostages Keith and Aviva Siegel voted together at Kibbutz Gazit in the Galilee, while Rom Braslavski posted a video of himself casting a ballot, urging others to do the same.

Damari was released on Jan. 19 2025 as part of a ceasefire deal with Hamas, and the election marks the first nationwide poll since the attacks. The Israeli Central Elections Committee reports that about 7.33 million citizens are eligible to vote, an increase of more than half a million from the previous election.