Erin Molan rose to prominence as a trailblazing television and radio presenter, becoming one of the first women to anchor a major sports show in Australia before hosting the prime-time program "Erin" on Sky News. However, it was her response to the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre that truly defined her character and cemented her place as a global voice for justice. When terrorists killed 1,200 innocent people and kidnapped 251 others into Gaza, Erin didn't hesitate to speak truth to power, highlighting the plight of the hostages and defending Israel’s war in Gaza. "This is a war not just against Jews but against the West," she declared to her audience. "This is a moment where we choose what side we're on, and if we get it wrong, the consequences will be catastrophic."
Erin’s unwavering moral clarity has resonated deeply in Israel, where she has become a beloved figure, people approach her on the street simply to thank her for her support. Unfortunately, her principled stance has come at an extraordinary personal cost. Erin has endured death threats against herself and her six-year-old daughter, faced intense public criticism, and ultimately lost her position at Sky News Australia, a sacrifice many believe was directly connected to her pro- Israel advocacy.
As a Catholic woman who chose to stand with the Jewish people when it mattered most, Erin Molan embodies the courage and moral leadership our world desperately needs. In an era marked by rising antisemitism and hate, Erin stands out as a leading voice championing the rights and dignity of the Jewish people. Her presence at our Negev Gala will remind us that support for Israel transcends religious and political boundaries, that there must be voices of clarity and compassion, and that sometimes doing what's right requires great personal sacrifice.
Hostage Debrief Team Leader and Former Mossad Chief Psychologist
Born and raised in NYC, he moved to Israel after high school and served for over 30 years as an air force pilot, Mossad officer, special forces psychologist and IDF hostage negotiator.
Since retiring with equivalent rank of Colonel, Glenn trains top business and military brass with the five "E.L.I.T.E." keys to resilience and peak performance which he pioneered during his tenure in the Mossad.
Since October 7th, Glenn served for more than 5 months in emergency reserve duty in the IDF Hostage Negotiation Unit, where he was designated to be the first mental health professional to meet the released hostages upon their return to Israel. Subsequently, he wrote the protocol for recovering the hostages and leads a team of psychologists who debriefed the 148 hostages so far and are prepared to receive the remaining hostages upon their release. Glenn is one of the few Mossad officers granted permission to share their story.
Eliya Cohen, was taken captive from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, after surviving a grenade attack in a crowded bomb shelter. He spent 505 days in Gaza, most of them chained underground in harsh conditions, sharing scraps of food with fellow hostages. He was held in the same shelter as Hersh Goldberg-Polin and in captivity with Eli Sharabi, forming bonds that helped him endure the ordeal.
Released in February 2025, Eliya was reunited with his fiancée, Ziv Abud. While still carrying deep physical and emotional scars, he now speaks publicly to raise awareness for the hostages still held in Gaza and to honor the memory of those who did not return.
Ziv Abud, was at the Nova festival with her fiancé, Eliya Cohen, when Hamas militants attacked their shelter. She survived by hiding under bodies for six hours until she was rescued. Reunited with Eliya after his release, Ziv now shares their story of survival and resilience, offering a personal account of the events of October 7th and their ongoing advocacy for hostages still in captivity.