Transcript [00:13] [clears throat] [00:36] >> Maxime, welcome in our studio and thank [00:38] you for being here. [00:38] >> Thank you for inviting. [00:40] >> So [00:42] Who were you before October 7th? Who was [00:45] Maxime? [00:46] >> Who was Maxime? First of all, I was [00:48] regular civilian. [00:49] >> Mhm. [00:49] >> Okay, I was a [00:51] son, I was a father. [00:54] Grandson. [00:55] >> Mhm. [00:56] >> Okay. [00:57] Regular people. [00:58] >> And where did you live in Israel? [01:00] >> Uh, [01:01] I live in north. [01:02] >> Mhm. [01:02] >> Uh, near Haifa. [01:04] >> Mhm. [01:04] >> City called Tirat Carmel. [01:07] Also my my friends, that with them I [01:10] uh, [01:11] go to the to the Nova festival, they [01:14] were from Karmiel in Avenue Matias [01:16] Bushin. [01:17] >> But you weren't born in Israel, huh? [01:18] >> Yeah. I was [01:20] >> Where were you born? [01:20] >> I was born in uh [01:22] I'm a child of Soviet Union, if it's [01:24] right to say. [01:26] Uh, I was born in in Donetsk. [01:28] >> Mhm. [01:29] >> So uh before [01:31] uh [01:33] before [01:34] the time that it starts to be Ukraine [01:36] >> Mhm. [01:36] >> that was the Soviet Union. For today, [01:39] it's Russia. [01:40] And uh I grew up there. [01:43] >> So you made aliyah on what date? [01:45] >> I I made aliyah in a [01:48] uh [01:48] 2005. I was 17 and a half years old. [01:53] After school, I met [01:56] There I begin my long road. [01:59] >> Yeah, so you speak Hebrew, you speak [02:01] Russian. [02:01] >> Yeah, Ukrainian [02:03] and a little bit Hebrew and uh [02:05] >> And very good English. [02:06] >> And less [02:08] >> [laughter] [02:09] >> And less but [02:11] a little bit Arabic. A little bit. [02:13] >> And that's what you learned in Gaza. [02:15] >> Yeah. [02:16] >> Yeah. So [02:17] >> Without wanting. [02:17] >> No. [02:19] I want to go with you to October 7th. [02:21] You were at the Nova music festival. Who [02:23] were you with? [02:25] >> I was me with my with couple of my [02:26] friends, my red friends. [02:29] And Matias and Din Buskila. [02:32] And we went to festival. It was a [02:34] beautiful festival. [02:37] And that called Supernova. [02:40] And [02:41] >> Many young people came together there. [02:43] >> Close to 3,000 people. Young people, [02:47] okay, kids I can say because I'm 38 [02:49] years old years old so [02:51] for me they are [02:53] kids, 19, 20, 25 years old. [02:57] >> When was the moment that you realized [03:00] that something was not right on the 7th [03:02] of October? [03:02] >> When the when the [03:05] when the rocket attack starts at 6:00 [03:08] a.m. [03:10] 6:20 [03:12] >> 6:25 [03:13] >> 6:29 I will [03:16] I think a little bit [03:18] earlier but [03:20] the official time is 6:00 6:29. [03:23] >> So what what happened? Can you describe [03:25] it? [03:26] >> And you heard the noise. I saw I already [03:28] saw them. [03:29] >> You know it's [03:31] >> You see the [03:33] I can explain like rain of the rockets, [03:36] okay, it's not [03:39] like usual for us [03:41] that you see the one rocket or five [03:43] rockets or 10 rockets. [03:45] >> Much more than that now. [03:46] >> It's hundreds. [03:47] >> Yeah. [03:48] >> So for me in the same time it It was [03:50] clearly understood that [03:52] this is a beginning of the war. [03:54] Okay, it's not some uh [03:58] little operation will be or maybe it [04:01] will be closed just by [04:02] by a talking with uh [04:06] Hamas or something that will be closed [04:08] uh [04:08] >> It was much more serious than that. [04:10] >> Yeah. Yeah. [04:10] >> [clears throat] [04:11] >> And then you saw also the Hamas fighters [04:13] later on? [04:13] >> Later. [04:14] >> Yeah. [04:16] >> When I actually I'm a [04:19] escaped [snorts] from the road [04:22] 232 [04:24] >> Mhm. [04:25] >> and escape [04:26] they uh [04:29] and kind of walked and some [04:32] police officers they opened the [04:35] escape road, okay, on the fields. [04:37] >> So you went [04:37] >> So I went there [04:38] >> Mhm. [04:39] >> with other people but in the same time I [04:40] get call from my friend. [04:43] And [04:44] uh [04:44] he was older than me. He was 41 in that [04:47] day. [04:48] So he [04:49] he was a combat uh soldier in the [04:52] [clears throat] past. [04:52] >> Mhm. [04:53] >> Uh [04:53] so it's second level on war and all [04:56] operations after he took part on them. [04:59] >> Yeah. So your friend Matias he called [05:01] you and he said you have to go back. [05:03] >> Max, where are you? [05:04] >> Mhm. [05:04] >> Uh [05:05] I tell him look at me and I'm on the [05:07] field. I was a close to one [05:09] 100 m on field from the road. I saw him [05:13] between the trees. I saw him on the road [05:15] staying on the road with the telephone [05:16] on his hand. [05:17] And I said him [05:19] Tony you had left. I'm on field. You can [05:22] see me. Take your wife and come. Run. He [05:25] said Max I don't know what happened. I [05:26] can't move. I not understand what going [05:29] on. [05:31] He get PTSD, the freeze mode. [05:34] >> He's traumatized. [05:35] >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Traumatized from the [05:36] past. I heard his wife screaming Max [05:40] help us. Help us. I don't know what what [05:42] to do. So I decide to run back to them [05:45] to try to try to help them to escape. [05:47] And uh [05:49] in the same time we already get uh [05:54] uh [05:54] attack from uh [05:57] the sniper rifles and the APKs. It's a [06:00] kind of Russian mugs, you know. [06:02] >> Mhm. [06:03] >> And it start to be [06:06] uh more uh [06:08] more tough. [06:08] >> Mhm. [06:10] >> With the next couple of moments [06:13] it's [06:13] already Kalashnikovs and [06:16] the RPGs, so you know, it's [06:19] you see how the cars exploding. [06:21] >> So it was very violent. [06:23] >> Yeah, that was just it's look like uh [06:26] it feels like the [06:29] wall of the bullets, you know. [06:30] So it's for someone [06:34] existing of the God and God's will is [06:37] something that he can't understand or [06:39] explain. I'm the miracle because uh [06:42] >> Because you didn't get hit. [06:43] >> in that situation impossible just it's [06:45] just [06:46] it's wall of the bullets. It's you know [06:49] from all sides near your head, you know. [06:51] It's impossible. [06:52] >> Yeah. [06:53] >> Mhm. So what happened next? [06:55] >> We starting to go in [06:58] starting to run again [07:00] make the [07:02] slaloms between cars because it was [07:04] impossible for us to go outside for [07:07] example [07:08] go out to the field because it's open [07:10] space. [07:11] We will die immediately. In the same [07:13] time the same thing will will happen if [07:15] we will go straight, you know, so we [07:18] start to run between cars and try to [07:21] escape. Uh with the road, okay. [07:26] We [07:28] run [07:30] close to 150 m maybe forward. [07:34] And uh [07:36] we feel the attack from the another side [07:37] of the road. [07:38] >> Yes. [07:39] >> And in the same in the same time from [07:41] the side of the party, okay? So, [07:44] it was a [07:45] in inside of the box. [07:47] >> Mhm. [07:47] >> So, we decide [07:49] to a [07:51] cover us, try to cover us in a trench. [07:54] Okay? [07:55] >> To hide from the [07:56] >> To hide to hide from the from the Hamas. [07:58] It was not so understood what's [08:00] happening in the same time. The the [08:02] power of that violence and you know [08:06] >> [snorts] [08:06] >> But then in the end you were found and [08:07] you were captured. [08:09] >> Yeah, yeah, yeah. It is [08:12] It starts like you know they they came [08:14] came to the road, okay? Start to be [08:18] close to us. [08:19] And they start to hear the Allahu Akbar [08:22] Allahu Akbar Allahu Akbar and the [08:24] shooting shooting shooting and you hear [08:26] the crying of people asking not to kill. [08:30] And you hear the laugh the [08:33] how how are they laughing, you know, and [08:36] the whistling and and the happiness of [08:38] the what the what are they doing. For me [08:40] it was something [08:42] that I can explain [08:44] today till today. So, it's it's it was [08:47] kind of the wave, you know, so it's a [08:50] wave that came like tsunami. [08:53] It's came closer and start to be harder [08:57] harder and louder and louder and louder. [09:00] In some moment it's [09:02] that wave came to us. [09:03] >> Yeah. [09:03] >> We we were there 11 people [09:07] >> Mhm. [09:07] >> inside. [09:09] And so we my friend [09:13] >> [snorts] [09:13] >> had his [09:17] private weapon, okay? [09:19] And then he shoot. [09:21] >> Mhm. [09:23] >> The terrorist head hit him. [09:25] He fell but the next next bullet [09:29] was to was in the back of my friend. So, [09:33] he died immediately on my my eyes. [09:36] And then the rest of the people about [09:39] that they was in inside the ditch with [09:41] me [09:42] were murdered [09:44] except the one [09:46] Yosef Haym Mohana. He's [09:49] from [09:50] that meeting he start to be a friend for [09:52] my life, part of my family. I spent 2 [09:54] years of captivity with them. [09:56] And then, [09:57] so I I saw by my own eyes [10:01] the laugh, the smiles on their faces. [10:06] They're killing [10:08] young people without weapon, without [10:12] without nothing. [10:14] Uh people like them not to kill, [10:16] you know, [10:17] their hands and uh [10:20] they just give you to [10:22] to get to [10:26] They just um [10:28] give you [10:31] to get outside [10:33] all your pain. [10:35] All your [10:37] >> Mhm. [10:38] >> crying, all your [10:41] Mhm. [10:43] Give you to understand that to feel the [10:45] moment that you cannot do you can't do [10:47] nothing, you know. [10:48] >> powerless. [10:49] >> That pain. [clears throat] [10:50] And they with smiles on their their [10:53] faces, they just took one one shot, took [10:57] another one shot, took another one shot. [11:00] I was on the final of the list for them. [11:02] From the beginning I was the [11:05] I I I [11:07] not supposed to be the hostage. You [11:09] understand? Because they shoot me in my [11:11] head. [11:12] Uh the reason that I'm still alive, it's [11:14] first of all it's God. [11:16] Uh the second one is because [11:18] he took his uh [11:20] the Kalashnikov not uh [11:23] on his shoulder [11:25] on his [11:26] kind of tummy. [11:27] >> And he said he [11:28] >> tummy. [11:28] >> Yeah. [11:28] >> So uh [11:29] >> So that's why you were lucky. [11:30] >> the bullet just [11:32] >> Missed you. Missed me and comes on my [11:34] heel. [11:35] And that's why I alive. [11:37] >> Then you were taken into Gaza. Into [11:39] Gaza. And what happened there? [11:44] >> You feeling here the all happiness that [11:47] was from civilians. Okay, the hundreds [11:50] it's [11:53] loudly clapping in their hands. It's [11:55] Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar, Allahu [11:57] Akbar. They dropping the candies inside. [12:00] So happiness, happiness [12:02] >> Many people were on the streets in Gaza? [12:05] >> I'm not [12:06] I do not saw them because I was inside [12:08] the truck, okay? [12:10] But I heard them. [12:11] Hundreds, hundreds. It's not only me, [12:14] you can [12:15] you can see a lot of videos [12:18] of hostages [12:20] when they they came to the Gaza [12:23] >> Mhm. [12:23] >> what happens. You will see the same [12:25] picture. [12:26] You will see [12:27] maybe five or 10 soldiers. That's the [12:31] same civilians. The [12:32] just a difference between civilians and [12:34] the soldiers that they have the Kalash [12:37] in in their hands. Yes, but you can see [12:40] the same picture. You will see that for [12:42] example [12:44] 10 soldiers or five soldiers [12:46] and 500, 700 [12:48] civilians. [12:49] >> around it, yeah. [12:50] >> All ages. The violence don't Violence [12:53] don't have the ages. So it's can be some [12:56] child 8 years old. It's It's can be some [13:00] uh [13:01] grandfather 95 years old, you know? So [13:04] and all the same. They may have a phones [13:07] on [13:07] their hands and they filming. They [13:10] happy. They are beating the hostages. [13:13] No one care about them. [13:15] So you can see it. It's in internet. [13:18] They posted it. Not we. [13:19] >> So you were brought to a house where you [13:22] were kept in captivity, yeah? [13:23] >> I spent I spent 8 months [13:26] up in ground [13:27] >> Uh-huh. [13:28] >> and uh [13:29] the houses of civilians. [13:32] Uh [13:34] For example, 4 months ago I was in some [13:37] baby room, room of some baby. I saw I [13:40] saw by my my own eyes. [13:42] >> Mhm. [13:42] >> Uh for example, clothes of Hamas but you [13:46] Hamas uniform for child [13:49] 1 and 1/2 2 years old. [13:51] >> Mhm. [13:51] >> Like this. [13:52] >> Yeah. [13:52] >> So, yes, I spent I heard the I was I was [13:56] in the central part of Gaza, so it's [13:59] Nuseirat and Deir al-Balah. So, we was [14:01] in the [14:02] >> [gasps] [14:03] >> heart of the of the war, okay, inside in [14:07] the in the central. [14:09] >> Okay, can you try to describe me your [14:11] life there because you say you spent 8 [14:13] months above the ground [14:14] >> Yeah. [14:15] >> and the rest of your captivity in the [14:16] tunnels of Gaza. [14:17] >> yeah, in 4 months. [14:18] >> Describe to me how does a day in Gaza [14:21] look like? [14:22] >> We can't connect [14:24] We can't connect for someone from the [14:26] streets. [14:26] >> Mhm. [14:27] >> Uh [14:28] and it's understood. Always was on the [14:31] floor on the same [14:33] corner, you know. [14:35] We can't speak. We can't move. [14:38] We can't do [14:39] anything without permission. Even [14:42] if I want to drink water, for example. [14:45] So, even if [14:46] >> ask first for [14:48] water. [14:48] >> For example, [14:50] the water. [14:53] For They give you [14:55] 5 mil 500 ml per 24 hours. For example, [14:59] it's not means that they don't have the [15:00] water. They have a lot of water, okay? [15:03] Bottled water, clean water. [15:05] We always get the [15:08] water from uh [15:10] >> The not so good water. [15:13] >> I can't even explain, you know. You see [15:15] You took your water put it on the light. [15:17] >> Mhm. [15:18] >> And you see the the life inside the [15:20] Discovery Channel inside the bottle. But [15:22] you [15:23] don't have a choice. So we have for [15:24] example 5 500 ml ml ml of the water. [15:28] >> How many food did you get? [15:30] >> Oh. [15:31] Uh [15:32] not much. Okay, from time to time but [15:35] it's not it's not much. Uh [15:37] and it's right what they when the people [15:40] when we talked and this explained the [15:42] people outside the world that [15:45] it's [15:46] what the not violence about uh [15:48] mm [15:49] to beat us or [15:51] to beat us mental. Okay, it's also [15:54] starvation. [15:55] >> Mhm. Starvation, yeah. [15:57] >> Uh [15:58] I have the pictures of me when I was [16:00] released. I was released in 13th of [16:02] October 2025. Uh I get the pictures from [16:06] the from the hospital. [16:08] >> Mhm. [16:08] >> From the [16:09] 16th of October. [16:11] >> Mhm. [16:12] >> So I was already 3 days inside of the [16:15] hospital. I I had the food. I had the [16:17] vitamins. I had the all all all. [16:19] And still my [16:21] condition [16:22] >> Mhm. [16:22] >> Yeah, I have the pictures so I can I [16:24] will show you, okay? I lost close to 40 [16:28] kilos. [16:28] >> 40 kilos you lost in captivity. [16:30] >> before captivity I was 90 kilos of of [16:33] the muscle not of the fat, okay? [16:35] >> No. [16:35] >> When I goes out I was only bones. [16:37] >> Yeah. So what did you do during the day [16:40] because you say you you got something to [16:43] drink [16:44] something to eat but but it's long days [16:46] for more than 2 years. [16:48] >> Yeah, for us [16:49] for me, okay? And I think for another [16:52] hostages. [16:53] Uh [16:55] that was 738 days [16:57] >> Mhm. [16:57] >> like one day. [16:58] >> Mhm. [16:58] >> 7th of October because it's [17:01] you know it's 24 24 hours violence. [17:04] Sometimes it's and it's physical, [17:06] sometimes it's mental some and the [17:09] starvation [17:10] >> Mhm. [17:11] >> uh going [17:12] through through the 2 years [17:15] and it's not easy. [17:17] >> Mhm. [17:17] >> It's brain, it's hope, you know. [17:19] >> Did you talk to your captors? Did you [17:21] talk to the Hamas people? [17:22] >> Sometimes, sometimes, sometimes, not [17:24] much. [17:24] >> What did you talk about? [17:28] >> Spoke with them [17:29] the only [17:31] one right way to speak with them was [17:35] the religion. Okay? It's [17:38] important for me to say that [17:40] we need to split because [17:42] one of the biggest mistakes that we can [17:45] see today about [17:47] free Palestine, you know, and uh [17:51] the and [17:54] their opponents [17:55] >> Mhm. [17:56] >> we are [17:56] >> Mhm. [17:59] >> When I asked them and [18:01] for example, you are fighting for what? [18:06] >> You asked them in Gaza. [18:08] And so, what did they say? [18:12] >> They were fighting for [18:15] our land [18:17] and in their opinion [18:21] we are not humans. [18:23] >> Mhm. [18:24] >> We are animals. [18:26] Not only we. [18:29] Because [18:30] I asked I asked I asked [18:32] >> Jews, Jews. [18:32] >> Mhm. [18:33] >> But [18:34] interesting point. I asked them I asked [18:36] them once, [18:37] "Okay, for example, all Jews will [18:40] came up and will go. [18:42] >> Mhm. [18:42] >> Tomorrow, for example, you have empty [18:44] land. Okay, all yours. What you will [18:46] do?" [18:48] And so, he answered me, it it was the [18:51] same [18:53] commander, it's not was the [18:55] only fighter. Okay? [18:57] >> rank. [18:57] >> Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. [18:59] Actually, that was the same answer from [19:01] all of them. I asked them [19:04] not once and not from one human. [19:06] Always the same answer. "When we will [19:08] finish [19:09] Jews, we'll start fight against Lebanon, [19:13] against Iran because their faith is the [19:17] same fake. They are not really Muslims. [19:20] >> Mhm. [19:21] >> And they we will just move forward with [19:24] our work. [19:25] >> not only the goal to get Palestine, but [19:27] it will continue. [19:28] >> No, no, no. [19:29] >> So what did you say? [19:30] >> more of that they they [19:31] >> like have a discussion with them or [19:33] >> from time to time, from time to time. [19:35] You know, it's it's a funny funny thing [19:37] because [19:39] I saw away outside a couple of [19:41] pro-Palestine, you know, protesters. [19:45] Actually, [19:46] what I saw [19:49] very clever human. [19:51] You know, and they not [19:53] I don't see the violence. [19:55] I told the the people you know, I wish [19:59] the Hamas [20:00] would like the [20:02] protests like this. I wish. [20:04] >> Yeah. [20:05] >> Actually, [20:06] [clears throat] [20:07] for them even a Palestine it's mistake. [20:10] It's Palestine. [20:12] Okay? [20:14] The flags [20:16] they hate this flags because they always [20:18] say that it's not our flags. [20:20] >> Mhm. [20:20] >> So it's not so easy. [20:23] Always laughing [20:24] on the pro-Palestine [20:27] >> They were laughing when you were [20:29] talking about pro-Palestine movement. [20:30] >> Yeah. They always say look on them all [20:33] that stupid [20:35] animals [20:37] with us instead of all violence. [20:40] So [20:43] that's their understanding and they are [20:45] not so uh [20:50] How can I explain? [20:52] They're not so innocent like you think. [20:56] >> No. So what kept you [20:59] hopeful? [21:00] What kept you alive? [21:02] >> First of all, it's God, you know, you [21:05] have faith. [21:06] There it's uh [21:08] close to you. It's uh uh [21:11] It's meeting uh you know, face-to-face. [21:14] >> Mhm. [21:14] >> So, it's keep your life. [21:16] >> Did you pray? [21:17] >> Yeah, for sure. We [21:18] We prayed inside. We [21:21] make [21:22] Shabbats and uh [21:25] the [21:28] We did all what what was in our hands, [21:31] you know. [21:31] >> Mhm. [21:32] >> And it's [21:33] you know, [21:34] it's [21:35] uh [21:37] was [21:39] very tough work for us. [21:40] >> Mhm. [21:41] >> To keep your friend [21:45] up the water, you know. [21:46] >> Yeah. Yeah. [21:46] >> So, it's two-side work always. [21:49] >> Yeah. [21:49] >> But you say you kept Shabbat, you [21:51] prayed. Did you also do that before you [21:53] were captured into Gaza? [21:55] >> No, I believe I believe I believed in [21:57] God. It was understood for me, but [21:59] if I [22:01] prayed before or something, no. [22:03] >> So, what what changed? What was the [22:05] thing that happened in Gaza that made [22:07] you [22:08] believe [22:08] >> I just [22:09] start to feel [22:12] that I wanted and you know, you can [22:15] enjoy it you can enjoy from it. It's [22:18] very good thing. [22:19] >> And did you feel that God was listening [22:21] to you? [22:22] >> For sure. [22:22] >> Yeah. [22:23] >> He Our God always listens us. Always. [22:26] >> How do you know? [22:28] How did you feel it back then? [22:29] >> You know, we we need always this is the [22:31] reason. [22:33] Of course, we always need the proofs or [22:35] something, right? I don't need the [22:36] proofs. It's It's It's understood for me [22:39] because you know, from 7th of October [22:41] until today [22:43] I sit in today. [22:44] >> Yeah. [22:44] >> This is the proof of existing, okay? I [22:47] don't need more. [22:47] >> You don't need more. You just knew it. [22:49] Did you know back then that there were [22:51] Christian people and also Jewish people, [22:54] also non-Christian people going on the [22:57] streets and [22:59] pleading for you to get free? Did you [23:01] know that? [23:02] >> they [23:03] we saw it on TV. [23:05] >> Uh-huh. [23:05] >> Hamas have TVs. [23:06] >> They showed it to you? [23:07] >> Yeah. [23:08] But [23:09] it was [23:11] it was shots from Al Jazeera. Okay, Al [23:13] Jazeera news. [23:14] >> Mhm. [23:15] >> But even in Al Jazeera news [23:18] some [23:18] sometimes they make made mistakes. Okay, [23:21] so we make kind of zoom out so you see [23:23] the pro-Palestine movement. [23:24] They make the from couple of seconds the [23:27] zoom out and you see against them [23:31] a lot a lot huge amount of people that [23:33] fighting for us, you know, taking the [23:36] flags of Israel and uh [23:38] our [23:40] our picture sometimes, you know. [23:42] >> Mhm. [23:43] >> It and it's [23:45] this what's give you the power. You [23:46] understand that even outside of the [23:48] Israel a lot of people [23:52] the Jews and non-Jews they standing [23:54] shoulder to shoulder and then they [23:56] fighting, you understand that [23:58] it's only fighting for us. It's it's [24:01] fighting for freedom. It's fighting for [24:03] existing. It's fighting for truth, you [24:05] know. [24:06] >> Because [24:08] for today it's [24:10] I don't know why for me it's something [24:12] understood. [24:14] The people start to normalize the [24:16] violence. [24:17] >> Mhm. [24:18] >> You know, so and when we [24:21] trying to explain them [24:23] the beginning [24:24] they always say [24:26] trying to say no no no. It was just one [24:29] day. [24:29] >> Mhm. Mhm. [24:30] >> Look at look at on our side. [24:33] >> Right. [24:34] >> So they always [24:36] trying to [24:37] not look into the facts. Not [24:40] just only on the [24:43] Instagram posts. For example, it's this [24:45] is enough for them, you know. [24:47] >> Yeah. But but you were saying that you [24:49] know when when you were in captivity you [24:50] saw the images of people demonstrating [24:53] for the whole situation. [24:54] >> A lot a lot a lot and give us power [24:55] because it's understood understood for [24:57] you also even outside of the our [25:00] country. The people a lot among [25:02] thousands, hundreds of thousands people [25:05] is staying for us. They fighting for us. [25:07] Who am I to to block myself? I'm so [25:10] small. [25:12] So I need to come back and and [25:14] that in that moment it was clear [25:16] understood for me so that [25:18] if I will go up [25:22] what I can do. [25:23] >> You mean you go up, you die? [25:25] >> Go, yeah. [25:25] >> Mhm. Did you think you would die or did [25:28] you think you would survive? [25:29] >> It's not it's not thinking about I I [25:31] took on myself that I [25:33] that I already dead with pulse in 7th of [25:35] October. [25:36] >> Mhm. [25:37] >> But [25:38] you know [25:39] for me it was um [25:44] I I took on myself that [25:47] if I will go out [25:49] in one day [25:51] and I will have [25:53] the chance [25:54] >> Mhm. [25:55] >> to say them [25:57] thank you. [25:58] >> Yeah. [25:58] >> I will do it. [26:00] That's one of the reasons that I'm here [26:01] because it's very important to me to say [26:04] to people thank you. [26:05] >> Mhm. [26:06] >> That's not only for that that I'm [26:08] sitting here but you it's must be clear [26:11] understood that part of my release [26:14] it's your job too, okay? Not less. [26:18] >> Your message is clear. [26:19] >> So [26:20] So [26:22] it's not only that we can see today that [26:26] uh [26:27] our fight is [26:29] only in the beginning, you know, because [26:30] we have uh [26:32] that violence [snorts] outside when the [26:34] the human [26:35] can't speak Hebrew, can't [26:37] because [26:39] he can't feel the physical violence [26:41] against himself, you know, and it's [26:44] normal. [26:44] >> Yeah. [26:45] >> So [26:47] we on the beginning of our um [26:49] long way but [26:52] all the people with us [26:54] until today. [26:55] >> Yeah. [26:56] >> It's very important. [26:57] >> So, after more than 2 years, you were [27:00] released. Finally, you came back to to [27:03] Israel. You were actually the last group [27:05] of people who were still alive and still [27:08] in Gaza that was released. [27:10] So, [27:11] when you came back, how did you build [27:14] your life up again? [27:15] >> Oh. [27:19] I was on the like this. First of all, [27:22] I'm [27:23] the luckiest person. I was in the [27:26] >> [laughter] [27:26] >> in the last helicopter, the last person [27:29] that [27:29] >> The last one. [27:30] >> It's That's me. That's me. [27:35] I was a little bit shocked. Uh [27:37] not shocked about [27:39] that the day finally come [27:42] to me. About [27:44] more shocked about uh [27:47] that [27:49] um [27:51] power, that love, [27:53] that the people uh [27:55] split with us, give us, [27:58] that strange that they give us. [28:00] You know, and [28:02] it's it was something [28:04] for me, [28:06] something that I [28:07] can't explain it like something usual. [28:11] No. And I feel it [28:13] worldwide. It's not only in our country. [28:16] >> Also in other countries that you [28:17] visited. Yeah. [28:19] >> I meet couple of the people just on the [28:20] streets and [28:22] >> Is there a [28:22] >> very warm people and you know. [28:24] >> Is there a part of Maxim that is that [28:26] was lost after these 2 years of [28:28] captivity? [28:29] >> For sure. I'm a I'm not uh [28:34] I'm the same person in the [28:38] understanding of life. Okay, but I'm in [28:42] same time I'm different person because [28:44] uh [28:45] my understanding is much deeper. You [28:48] know, and uh [28:49] >> Explain me what do you mean? [28:51] >> For example, [28:53] um [28:54] It's a lot of It's a lot of things [28:56] because about uh [28:58] what's it's what have really real [29:01] importance in our life. [29:03] >> Mhm. [29:04] >> If it's money, no, it's not. [29:07] It's It's our time. [29:09] >> Mhm. [29:10] >> It's our family. [29:12] It's real love. It's [29:14] option that when you can help to [29:16] someone. [29:17] >> Mhm. [29:18] >> So, it's our life it's much easier than [29:22] we think. [29:22] >> Yeah. [29:23] >> You know, and much [29:25] brighter than we thought when [29:28] than we sometimes think. [29:29] >> Yeah. [29:30] So, [29:31] I want to come to a conclusion because [29:34] you have spent 2 years in the most [29:37] horrible place that we cannot even [29:40] imagine. [29:40] >> No need. [29:41] >> Uh [29:42] thank you for that. [29:44] Uh [29:44] >> [clears throat] [29:44] >> on the same time, I see a person here [29:46] that is smiling, that is saying he [29:48] believes in God. [29:50] Uh [29:51] I see a person that is thanking the [29:53] people that support him. Uh but still we [29:55] see in the world and also in Holland [29:58] that there is still a lot of negative [30:00] feelings toward Israel. So, what would [30:03] be your message to the people who are [30:04] watching this show, who are supporting [30:06] Israel? What should we do? [30:09] >> First of all, [30:11] I hope that that video will see someone [30:15] who not support Israel. [30:17] >> Mhm. [30:19] >> Uh [30:19] just I don't want from him to [30:22] from her [30:23] uh [30:24] to take my side. [30:26] No need. [30:29] I just want from him [30:31] to learn subject deeper. [30:35] Because when you start to learn it [30:37] deeper, you will see that all is [30:39] opposite. [30:40] >> Mhm. [30:42] >> Don't base your [30:45] thinking and your way [30:48] only on posts in Instagram [30:52] or Facebook or another social media. [30:55] >> Mhm. [30:55] >> Because there you can see only the part [30:58] that [31:00] someone [31:01] will give you to see. You will not give [31:03] you the full picture. [31:05] >> yeah. [31:06] >> So, we [31:08] start from there. [31:10] Learn the subject. [31:11] You You will have the a lot of [31:13] questions. [31:14] >> Mhm. [31:15] >> Ask. [31:17] I will argument with any person with [31:21] pleasure. [31:22] But [31:23] argument, not violence. [31:25] >> Mhm. [31:25] >> Not is [31:27] Sorry for my language, but not the [31:29] stupid yelling [31:31] >> Mhm. [31:31] >> uh with some flags without understanding [31:34] with without understanding of the [31:37] of the of the problem. [31:39] And the [31:42] don't start to normalize [31:45] 7 of October like some date. It's not [31:48] date. It's It's It's the day that I [31:51] can't even uh name it like a day because [31:55] that day was a [31:58] darker than night. [32:01] Look inside. The problem is [32:04] much more older than that you think. [32:08] And [32:09] don't think that [32:12] the another side [32:14] uh that I'm talking about uh the [32:16] Palestinians [32:18] so innocent. [32:19] >> Mhm. [32:20] So, it's important to be educated and to [32:22] learn about the subject, I think. [32:24] >> I know I know [32:25] Yeah, I can say that unfortunately for [32:28] me, unfortunately, [32:31] I spent 2 years of of my life [32:34] inside the Gaza with civilians. [32:37] It's It's must be clearly understood. [32:39] This is the mistake. The civilians [32:42] support the Hamas. [32:44] >> Mhm. [32:44] >> Support [32:46] 99.9999%. [32:51] It's not I'm not trying to [32:53] to scare someone. [32:55] It's the truth. In the 6th of In the 6th [32:57] of October, 2023, [32:59] you will tell me that Max, the support [33:01] of the of the Hamas there [33:04] 99%. [33:05] >> Mhm. [33:07] >> I will answer was that you stupid [33:08] because it's can't be. It's understood [33:11] for me that we have this the Hamas [33:12] inside. This is the main problem. It's a [33:15] It's terroristic [33:18] terroristic movements. [33:20] But we have the civilians that they are [33:22] stuck inside with that problem and they [33:25] don't have choose [33:27] >> Mhm. [33:27] >> what to do, you know? [33:28] >> No, they don't have a choice. [33:30] >> Today, [33:30] >> Mhm. [33:31] >> I can explain that it's different. It's [33:33] opposite. They give them support. [33:37] More of them more of that. [33:40] They post the videos today. [33:43] >> Mhm. [33:44] >> From the from from the Gaza. You can see [33:47] it in Instagram on same Facebook on [33:50] social media. [33:51] They learn their kids [33:54] not only to be [33:57] negative to Jews, to hate them. [34:01] Make a moves to kill them. [34:04] And we [34:06] um [34:09] not to be [34:10] make make their meaning of the life to [34:14] kill the Jews. [34:15] >> Yeah. [34:16] >> And this is abnormal. [34:18] >> Yeah. [34:18] >> So, first of all [34:20] >> that in Gaza with your own [34:21] >> For sure, you can see it. Open [34:23] Instagram. You can see it there. They [34:25] are enough stupid to post to post it by [34:27] themselves. [34:28] >> Yeah. [34:29] >> You see it. The kids the [34:32] More of it. [34:33] Look on their all their videos. They [34:36] crying [34:38] for what? [34:40] For example, the civilians they crying [34:41] about they [34:45] starving. This is lie. They're not [34:47] starving. [34:49] They're [34:51] any reason, but [34:55] even not the one of them [34:59] not said [35:00] that [35:02] 7 of October [35:05] was mistake. [35:08] For example, [35:10] no one. [35:11] >> No. [35:11] >> They don't care about it. [35:14] So, this is my [35:17] message to you. And my message for our [35:21] people that [35:23] >> [sighs and gasps] [35:24] >> support us. [35:26] It's I can't call it even support. It's [35:29] not support. They fight [snorts] [35:32] fighting with us shoulder to shoulder. [35:34] It's it's a different [35:36] different level. [35:38] In my understanding of life. [35:40] Just say them thank you and [35:43] we'll we'll win. It's maybe it will not [35:46] be easy. [35:47] But we will win. [35:49] We have we don't have another choice. [35:51] And have a nice day. [35:53] >> Maxim, thank you so much for coming to [35:55] our studio. [35:55] >> Thank you for inviting. And sorry for my [35:56] bad English. [35:57] >> God bless you. Thank you very much. [35:59] >> All of us. Thank you. [36:00] >> You guys all thanks for watching this [36:01] episode of Christians for Israel. You [36:03] can stay up to date about the activities [36:05] of Israel. Go to our website [36:08] cvi.nl/actueel. [36:10] There you can find all kinds of [36:11] informative articles and also our [36:13] episodes and podcasts. Thank you very [36:15] much for watching and see you next time. [36:16] Thank you for watching and see you next [36:17] time. [36:20] >> [music]
