What we know about captivity in Gaza - with Glenn Cohen
Digest
Glenn Cohn, a former Mossad psychologist and current IDF reservist, shares his experiences debriefing Israeli hostages who returned from Gaza after being held captive by Hamas. He highlights the importance of maintaining a sense of control and orientation for hostages, emphasizing their resilience and ingenuity in coping with captivity. Cohn debunks common misconceptions about Stockholm Syndrome, explaining that it's not a universal phenomenon and that trauma bonding is a more accurate description of the psychological dynamic. He also addresses the Israeli public's perception of the hostages' experiences, particularly the assumption that many women are pregnant due to rape. Cohn emphasizes the need for a balanced approach, acknowledging the horrors of captivity while also recognizing the resilience of the hostages and the importance of maintaining hope. He discusses the Israeli government's commitment to bringing hostages home, even at a high price, and how this commitment impacts the morale of Israeli soldiers. Cohn's insights provide a nuanced and informed perspective on the psychological realities of captivity and the challenges faced by both hostages and their families.
Outlines
The Importance of Maintaining Control in Captivity
This Chapter discusses the psychological impact of captivity on hostages, highlighting the importance of maintaining a sense of control and orientation. It explores how hostages find ingenious ways to keep track of time, such as using date pits or observing daily routines, as a means of asserting control over their environment.
Glenn Cohn's Background and Role in the Hostage Crisis
This Chapter introduces Glenn Cohn, a former Mossad psychologist, and his role in debriefing Israeli hostages who returned from Gaza. It explores his background as a specialist in captivity and his experience working with hostages during the current war with Hamas.
Defining the Role of a Psychologist in a Hostage Crisis
This Chapter delves into the specific role of a psychologist in a hostage crisis, highlighting the need for a protocol to address the unique challenges of dealing with women and children who have been held captive. Cohn describes his efforts to create a protocol that would provide a soft landing for returning hostages and gather information about those still held captive.
Debriefing the Hostages and Addressing Trauma
This Chapter focuses on the process of debriefing hostages upon their return, emphasizing the importance of helping them make sense of their experiences and shift their control from their emotional brain to their cognitive brain. Cohn discusses the differences in experiences between male and female hostages, particularly the assumption that men are subjected to harsher physical abuse.
Rachel Goldberg's Speech and the Israeli Public's Perception
This Chapter analyzes a speech delivered by Rachel Goldberg, the mother of Hirsch Goldberg, a hostage held in Gaza. It explores the Israeli public's perception of the hostages' experiences, particularly the assumption that many women are pregnant due to rape. Cohn addresses the need for a balanced approach, acknowledging the horrors of captivity while also recognizing the resilience of the hostages and the importance of maintaining hope.
Debunking Myths about Captivity and Stockholm Syndrome
This Chapter debunks common misconceptions about captivity and Stockholm Syndrome. Cohn explains that captivity is a traumatic experience, but it's not always a death sentence. He also clarifies the definition of Stockholm Syndrome and its prevalence among hostages, emphasizing the importance of understanding trauma bonding as a more accurate description of the psychological dynamic.
Coping Mechanisms and Maintaining Belief in Rescue
This Chapter explores the coping mechanisms used by hostages in captivity, particularly their ability to keep track of time and maintain belief in their eventual rescue. Cohn highlights the resilience of hostages, both civilian and military, and their ability to find small victories in a challenging environment.
The Jewish Value of Redemption and the Price of Rescue
This Chapter reflects on Rachel Goldberg's speech and her assertion that the decision to do everything possible to get hostages back is an irrational decision based on the Jewish value of redemption. Cohn agrees with this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of this value and its impact on the morale of Israeli soldiers.
The Dilemma of Hostage Negotiations and the Future
This Chapter explores the dilemma faced by Israel in hostage negotiations, balancing the need to bring home known hostages with the potential for future hostage-taking. Cohn discusses the impact of past hostage releases on the morale of Israeli soldiers and the importance of maintaining a strong commitment to rescuing hostages.
Keywords
Glenn Cohn
Glenn Cohn is a former Mossad psychologist and current IDF reservist who has debriefed every living Israeli hostage who has returned from Gaza since October 7th, 2023. He is a specialist in captivity and has extensive experience working with hostages in various situations. Cohn is also prominently featured in the book "The Genius of Israel" by Dan Senor and Saadia Sander.
Hostage Crisis
The hostage crisis in Gaza refers to the ongoing situation where Israeli citizens are being held captive by Hamas following the October 7th, 2023, attack. This crisis has raised significant concerns about the safety and well-being of the hostages and has sparked intense debate about Israel's response.
Captivity
Captivity refers to the state of being held against one's will, often in a confined or restricted environment. It can be a traumatic experience, both physically and psychologically, and can have lasting effects on individuals. Captivity can involve various forms of abuse, including physical, psychological, and sexual abuse.
Stockholm Syndrome
Stockholm Syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where hostages develop positive feelings towards their captors. It is often seen as a coping mechanism in captivity, but it is not a universally recognized syndrome and is not considered a disorder in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).
Trauma Bonding
Trauma Bonding is a psychological phenomenon that occurs when individuals develop a strong emotional attachment to their abusers, often in situations of captivity or abuse. It is a form of psychological manipulation that can make it difficult for victims to leave their abusers.
Resilience
Resilience refers to the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity. It is a crucial factor in coping with traumatic experiences, such as captivity. Hostages often demonstrate remarkable resilience in finding ways to maintain control, keep track of time, and maintain hope in challenging circumstances.
Pidiyon Shvuyim
Pidiyon Shvuyim is a Jewish value that emphasizes the importance of redeeming captives. It is considered a paramount mitzvah (commandment) and reflects the Jewish people's commitment to rescuing those who are held against their will. This value has been a driving force behind Israel's efforts to bring hostages home.
Hamas
Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group that controls the Gaza Strip. It is considered a terrorist organization by many countries, including the United States and Israel. Hamas has been involved in numerous attacks against Israel, including the October 7th, 2023, attack that led to the current hostage crisis.
IDF
IDF stands for the Israel Defense Forces, the military forces of Israel. The IDF is responsible for defending Israel's borders and protecting its citizens. It is known for its high level of professionalism and its commitment to rescuing hostages.
Mossad
The Mossad is Israel's national intelligence agency. It is responsible for gathering intelligence, conducting covert operations, and protecting Israel's interests abroad. The Mossad has a long history of involvement in hostage negotiations and rescue operations.
Q&A
What are some of the key psychological challenges faced by hostages in captivity?
Hostages face significant psychological challenges, including a sense of helplessness, lack of control, and the need to maintain a sense of orientation. They often experience trauma, anxiety, and fear, and may develop coping mechanisms such as trauma bonding or Stockholm Syndrome.
How do hostages cope with the psychological effects of captivity?
Hostages develop various coping mechanisms to deal with the psychological effects of captivity. These include finding ways to maintain control, such as keeping track of time, engaging in small acts of defiance, and forming relationships with their captors. They may also rely on their faith, hope for rescue, and their resilience to endure the ordeal.
What are some common misconceptions about Stockholm Syndrome?
Stockholm Syndrome is often misunderstood. It is not a universal phenomenon and is not considered a disorder in the DSM. Trauma bonding is a more accurate description of the psychological dynamic that can occur in captivity, where individuals develop an emotional attachment to their abusers.
How does the Israeli public's perception of the hostages' experiences impact the situation?
The Israeli public's perception of the hostages' experiences is often shaped by assumptions and rumors, which can lead to misinformation and anxiety. It is important to maintain a balanced approach, acknowledging the horrors of captivity while also recognizing the resilience of the hostages and the importance of maintaining hope.
What is the Jewish value of Pidiyon Shvuyim and how does it influence Israel's actions?
Pidiyon Shvuyim is a Jewish value that emphasizes the importance of redeeming captives. It is considered a paramount mitzvah (commandment) and reflects the Jewish people's commitment to rescuing those who are held against their will. This value has been a driving force behind Israel's efforts to bring hostages home, even at a high price.
How does Israel's commitment to rescuing hostages impact the morale of Israeli soldiers?
Israel's commitment to rescuing hostages has a significant impact on the morale of Israeli soldiers. It provides them with a sense of assurance that the country will do everything possible to bring them home if they are captured. This commitment contributes to their willingness to enter into enemy territory and risk their lives in the line of duty.
What are some of the ethical dilemmas faced by Israel in hostage negotiations?
Israel faces ethical dilemmas in hostage negotiations, balancing the need to bring home known hostages with the potential for future hostage-taking. The country must weigh the costs and consequences of its actions, considering the potential for future attacks and the impact on its own citizens.
What are some of the key takeaways from Glenn Cohn's insights into the psychological realities of captivity?
Glenn Cohn's insights provide a nuanced and informed perspective on the psychological realities of captivity. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining control, the resilience of hostages, the need for a balanced approach to the situation, and the impact of Israel's commitment to rescuing hostages on the morale of its soldiers.
Show Notes
Since October 7, there has been a debate inside Israel about what cost Israelis should pay as a society to get their fellow citizens home, or, what the cost would be to Israeli society if their fellow citizens do not return home.
One perspective we have not heard is that of a professional who led the debriefing of every single living hostage upon return, including children, women and the elderly; those who were held in underground tunnels and those who were held in apartments above ground by Gazan families; those who were held captive alone and those who were held captive with other Israelis; those who were medically treated, and those who were tortured.
Glenn Cohen is that person. He made aliyah to Israel from the United States as a young man and joined the IDF. He had an impressive and improbable career in the military (which we chronicle in Chapter 12 of THE GENIUS OF ISRAEL - https://tinyurl.com/4hpxsx2x).
Glenn was an air force pilot, a Mossad officer, a hostage negotiator, and a special forces psychologist. He served in the Mossad for 25 years, retiring as the Chief of Psychology with the equivalent rank of Colonel. During the current Israel-Hamas war, Glenn served for over 100 days in reserve duty as the head psychologist of a team that debriefed the hostages upon their return.
To reach Glenn Cohen or learn more about his work, visit: https://www.glenn-cohen.com/
Rachel Goldberg Polin's speech that was featured in the episode, can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZX79M3k-L4
To learn more about Hersh Goldberg-Polin: https://m.facebook.com/BringHershHome
OR
IG: Bring.Hersh.Home
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