The Israel Book Publishers Association awarded freed hostage Eli Sharabi the Golden Book award on Monday, for his book Hostage, which broke an Israeli sales record by reaching 20,000 sales within its first five days of release.
The award was presented virtually, within the framework of National Book Month, due to Sharabi being delayed in London, where he was speaking, when the Israel-Iran War broke out.
“I want to thank the Israeli public who bought and, more importantly, read the book,” said Sharabi, who was released from Hamas captivity in January after being kidnapped by Hamas from Kibbutz Be’eri on October 7, 2023.
His wife, Lianne, and daughters Noiya, 16, and Yahel, 13, were murdered in the Hamas mega-attack that day. Sharabi only found out about their deaths upon his release. His brother Yossi was also taken hostage and later killed; his body is still being held in Gaza. Sharabi was held with fellow hostages Alon Ohel, Or Levy, and Eliya Cohen.
“People tell me, ‘Eli, we felt as if we were there with you in the tunnels in Gaza, and now we know what it felt like, it moves me very much,’” he said.
Sharabi's book reminds us that there are still hostages in Gaza
“I wrote the book to reach people, to give back, to show that no matter how difficult it is, you can always choose, no matter what cards life deals you, it is in your hands, always, in every moment, the choice to die, and the choice to live,” he added.
Sharabi has traveled extensively, including meeting US President Donald Trump, to raise awareness of, and work toward, the release of the remaining hostages.
Hostage, released last month by Sella Meir, is the first memoir published by a released captive. Sharabi said it was also written for those still inside Gaza – including 23-year-old Ohel, who remains in Hamas hands.
“The other reason I wrote it, which is also the reason it was important for me to be precise about the experience and to create the book so quickly – is so that they understand what we went through there and what the kidnapped who are still there, who are our brothers, who are flesh and blood, are going through there.
“Because once you know what it feels like there and what they are going through, you can’t stop thinking and you can’t stop hurting and acting to get them out, to ensure that they return home – and they will return home.”
In an interview with N12 earlier this month, Sharabi spoke about his daughters and his wife, explaining that he thought they were still alive when he was released.
“When I came back and heard that they were murdered five minutes after I was kidnapped, I couldn’t understand the situation and I demand answers.
“I want to see them, I want to hug them, I want to draw strength from them, I want to show them that I’m okay, that I’m no longer a poster.”
Bini Trivux, chairman of the Association of Book Publishers and publisher of Matar Publishing presented the award to Sharabi, saying, “Eli’s story reminds us all of the meaning of our lives here. Eli is a man who has gone through hell, lost those dearest to him, survived a cruel captivity in Gaza, and did not give up his right to tell his story.
“Eli wrote a book. It is not easy to read it, let alone write it, but his book is more important than ever. It is not just a record of a personal experience but a resonant human document; a reminder of the power of writing and the value of a voice.
“The Israeli public – tens of thousands of readers – did not remain indifferent. The book became a bestseller. Because ultimately, we need words that will describe what is difficult to describe, that will frame the shock, the pain. That will turn it into a living, human, national memory.”