President Issac Herzog has praised Romi Gonen for her 'extraordinary courage' after she spoke publicly about the sexual violence she endured while held hostage. In a message posted online, Herzog described Gonen's testimony as heartbreaking and emphasized the importance of sharing her story so the world remembers the suffering of the hostages. Gonen, who was kidnapped from the Nova music festival during the Hamas-led attack in October 2023 and released in January 2025, recounted her experiences in an interview aired on Channel 12. Herzog called Gonen a true hero and expressed admiration for her bravery in speaking out.