The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson

Episode: Hostage Horror: Families Speak Out as Hamas Plays Mind Games

Date: November 7, 2025
Host: Ben Ferguson
Podcast Network: Premiere Networks

Episode Overview

In this emotionally charged episode, Ben Ferguson broadcasts from Jerusalem to provide a first-hand account of the ongoing hostage crisis involving Hamas and Israel. The episode centers on the psychological manipulation faced by families of Israeli hostages, the trauma endured both by returned hostages and their relatives, and the underreported humanitarian cost of the crisis. Ferguson also expresses grave concern about the rise of antisemitism in conservative circles within the United States, drawing on comments from Senator Ted Cruz and personal conversations in Israel. He credits President Donald Trump’s administration for achieving significant hostages’ releases and criticizes U.S. and international media for their portrayals of Israel.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Psychological Warfare by Hamas and the Plight of Hostage Families

• Hamas Returned Partial Remains Not Belonging to Hostages

  • Ferguson describes breaking news: Hamas returned human remains to Israel, claiming they belonged to hostages, but DNA tests proved otherwise.
  • [05:12] Ben Ferguson: “The three partial remains that Hamas returned to Israel on Friday night do not belong to any of the hostages still in Gaza. DNA tests… have concluded research.”
  • The Red Cross facilitated this exchange as a neutral intermediary, but Hamas never identified whose remains were being returned.
  • Ferguson frames this as a deliberate psychological tactic by Hamas to torment hostage families and Israel as a whole:
    • “What we are witnessing right now is truly psychological warfare. It’s psychological warfare by a terrorist organization.” [07:26]

• First-Hand Encounters with Hostage Families

  • Ferguson shares a deeply personal account of meeting a mother whose son had been taken hostage by Hamas, referencing the viral video of a young woman kidnapped at gunpoint.
    • “The mother of the hostage told the story of her son, of how she found out about when he was taken and how he was kept underground without being able to see the sun, literally for years.” [08:55]
  • He urges listeners to watch the full interview with the mother on his Facebook page for a direct account.

• Media Underreporting and Narrative Bias

  • Ferguson criticizes mainstream media for failing to thoroughly report on the ordeal and suffering of Israeli hostages and their families.
    • “Their torture has not been told by the media…[who] imply on every opportunity they get that Israel is somehow evil, that they are committing genocide.” [09:30]
  • He calls this a harmful misrepresentation—a “torturing of the families.”

2. The Role of U.S. Leadership and Policy in the Hostage Crisis

• Praise for President Trump’s Administration

  • Ferguson credits President Trump’s leadership for securing the release of living hostages and providing strong, clear support for Israel.
    • “Because of the leadership of President Trump we got to the point where all living hostages were given back. And there is incredible gratitude in Israel right now for the President of the United States of America.” [10:25]
  • He asserts that Trump’s swift action surpassed that of previous administrations.

• Abraham Accords and U.S.–Israel Relations

  • The host highlights the continued importance and impact of the Abraham Accords brokered under Trump:
    • “This ceasefire and the leadership of Donald Trump to get this peace in the Middle east and the Abraham Accords is truly historic, but it’s also very real.” [07:08]
  • Ferguson insists that now is a safe time to visit Israel, sharing his own pilgrimage experiences and urging American support and understanding.

3. The “Growing Cancer” of Antisemitism on the American Right

• Rising Antisemitism Among U.S. Conservatives

  • Ferguson voices deep concern over what he describes as burgeoning antisemitism within conservative political movements, naming Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, and Nick Fuentes as prominent examples.
    • “There is definitely a rise in antisemitism in America on the right right now. It is being led by names that I’m sure you know about: Candace Owens, Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuente and others.” [11:12]
  • He references a Jerusalem Post headline quoting Senator Ted Cruz:
    • “‘A Growing Cancer. Senator Cruz warns of antisemitism spike on the US Right’… Senator Cruz delivering a dramatic warning that antisemitism is spreading on parts of the America's right and urged conservatives, pastors and lay leaders to draw red lines and confront it head on.” [11:41]
  • Ferguson agrees strongly with Cruz, warning that a new generation of conservatives risks being influenced by these attitudes.

• Call to Christian Leaders and American Conservatives

  • Both Ferguson and Cruz emphasize the need for American Christians and conservative leaders to confront this threat proactively.
    • “He also said the church is asleep. I couldn’t agree more with that. And he called on Christian leaders to act.” [11:35]

4. Israel’s Strategic Importance to U.S. National Security

• Preview of Upcoming Coverage
  • Ferguson reveals plans for further shows exploring how Israeli intelligence aids American security against ISIS, Al Qaeda, and other extremist groups.
    • “Just how important Israel is when it comes to fighting ISIS, Al Qaeda, and Islamic extremism in the Middle East and how much intelligence they give to America that allows us to stay safe.” [12:43]
  • Upcoming episodes will include field visits to attack sites and more interviews with families affected by terrorist violence.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Hamas’s Mind Games:
  • “This is torturing the families. They know this is psychological warfare.” [09:55] — Ben Ferguson
• On Israeli Gratitude for President Trump:
  • “The people of Israel, they are so thankful for Donald Trump becoming President yet again… They love that we have a president that is standing with them and also understands there’s a difference between right and wrong and good and evil, that there is clarity in the world now of where America stands with Israel.” [13:10]
• On the Rise of Antisemitism:
  • “After being in Israel, I couldn’t agree with this more than what I’ve witnessed… And the danger is very high. The danger, as President Trump has put it and Senator Cruz have put it, is that you now have hardcore conservatives that are turning a younger generation to be antisemitic.” [12:17]
• On Being in Israel:
  • “This has been an incredible trip, as I have, for the very first time on my pilgrimage, been able to see where Jesus walked, see where he carried the cross for his own death, and to see exactly what life is like in Israel.” [06:48]

Important Segment Timestamps

• 05:12 — Breaking news on Hamas returning non-hostage remains to Israel
• 07:08 — Ferguson frames his visit as spiritual and political, encourages visiting Israel now
• 08:55 — Emotional recounting of the hostage mother’s story; call to view the interview online
• 09:30 - 10:00 — Critique of media coverage regarding the hostage crisis
• 10:25 — Credit given to President Trump’s administration for hostage releases
• 11:12 - 12:17 — Detailed warning about the rise of antisemitism on the American right
• 12:43 — Teaser for upcoming discussion on intelligence cooperation and national security
• 13:10 — Reflection on U.S.–Israel ties and gratitude toward U.S. leadership

Tone and Language

Ferguson’s delivery is urgent, passionate, and openly opinionated. He blends personal reflection from his trip with forceful political commentary, making strong assertions about American media, political figures, and the critical nature of the U.S.–Israel relationship. The narrative is direct, emotionally invested, and at times confrontational—particularly when addressing perceived antisemitism or defending Israel.

Summary

This episode of The 47 Morning Update offers a firsthand, emotionally intense perspective on the trauma faced by Israeli hostage families, detailing how Hamas’s psychological tactics cause ongoing anguish. Ferguson directs sharp criticism at both Hamas and U.S. media, while lauding President Trump’s diplomacy. Central to the episode is his alarm at the normalization of antisemitism in American conservative circles, urging leaders to address it head-on. The episode concludes with a promise of continued, on-the-ground coverage from Israel, merging personal pilgrimage with political urgency and exposing issues that, according to Ferguson, mainstream channels ignore.