Last week, the New Israel Fund (NIF) and the Goldman family announced that Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan Zangauker who was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, is the winner of NIF’s 2024 “Truth to Power” Prize.
The “Truth to Power” Prize, worth NIS 100,000, is the largest individual prize granted within Israeli civil society. The Prize is given to an individual who acts publicly and fearlessly against power structures and authorities to fight discrimination, inequality, or injustice, and has paid a social, public, or personal price for it. Candidates are evaluated according to their display of courage, effectiveness, future potential, inspiration, and commitment to the values of justice, equality, and democracy.
Einav Zangauker is a 45-year-old single mother from Ofakim. Her eldest son, Matan, worked at Kibbutz Nir Oz to support their family. Einav also has two younger daughters, one of whom suffers from muscular dystrophy. Matan and his partner Ilana (who was released from captivity in November) were kidnapped from the kibbutz on the morning of October 7. Since Matan was kidnapped, Einav has been waging a persistent, uncompromising, and unapologetic struggle for the return of her son and the other hostages. She does not hesitate to criticize decision-makers, first and foremost Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, even though she endures intensive criticism and condemnation from her community, the public, and influential Netanyahu supporters. While most of the hostages’ families initially gathered to protest in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square, Einav camped out in front of IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv along with a few other families. Over time, thousands have followed suit, joining in her protest.
This year, the prize committee reviewed dozens of candidates, activists who have dedicated their lives to a variety of social change issues such as: protecting human rights, preventing the judicial overhaul, and exposing sexual violence.
Members of the prize committee stated, “In the face of a personal and national crisis, the likes of which we have never seen before, Einav rose up courageously. Together with the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Einav has led the struggle to bring the hostages home. She found her voice and mobilized thousands to take to the streets after her. Einav won this prize reluctantly; she didn’t ask to be in this position. Unfortunately, the disaster of October 7 found her. We know that she would give up this prize, the honor, and the public recognition in an instant in exchange for the return of Matan and all of the hostages.”
Rachel Liel, NIF president said, “Einav demands that we, as a society and as a nation, continue fighting for the hostages. Her truth forces us to remain faithful to the values of a nation that sanctifies life. We hope the prize will give Einav the critical support she needs to continue her struggle against those in power and facilitate the safe return of the hostages.”
Upon receiving the prize, Einav shared: “the Israeli public has given me the strength and courage to stand up to powerful forces and say what I think, regardless of their political affiliation. The widespread public support gives me the strength to continue to fight for the most important thing there is: bringing the hostages home. Only when this happens can we begin to rehabilitate our country and our society.”
The “Truth to Power” Prize is named after the late Bill Goldman, who was professor of history at the University of San Francisco, an activist and board member of the New Israel Fund, who courageously worked to promote compassion, justice and equality and contributed so much to organizations that worked to build bridges between people.
English press coverage of the prize can be found at The Times of Israel.