Know about Elizabeth Tsurkov, the Russian-Israeli researcher at the Forum for Regional Thinking, who was kidnapped in Baghdad in March 2023. Discover her family background, personal life, and ongoing concerns for her safety
Elizabeth Tsurkov’s family is worried as the Israeli-Russian researcher was kidnapped in Baghdad in March 2023. Let’s find out more about her personal life.
Elizabeth Tsurkov is a Russian-Israeli researcher at the Israeli-Palestinian think group Forum for Regional Thinking. She is also a doctorate student in the politics department at Princeton University. Tsurkov has also worked as a consultant for the Atlantic Council and the International Crisis Group. Aside from that, she is making news after being kidnapped in March 2023.
She was reportedly kidnapped in Baghdad and kept captive by Kata’ib Hezbollah, an Iraqi force backed by Iran. It has been reported that she traveled to Iraq to conduct research for Princeton University.
Israeli-Russian Researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov Family Life
Elizabeth Tsurkov’s family is concerned since she has been missing for nearly three months. The Tsurkovs have also stated that the Iraqi government is solely accountable for her safety. Tsurkov was born in 1986 in St. Petersburg, Russia to Jewish parents. Her parents are supposed to have relocated to Israel. Tsurkov’s childhood was spent on a kibbutz.
Her mother’s name is Irina, and she has spoken publicly about her daughter, while her father’s name is unknown. Tsurkov’s parents were reportedly imprisoned by the Soviet authorities after cooperating with Natan Sharansky.
Tsurkov has a younger sister named Emma as well. Tsurkov moved to Israel with her mother and sister in 1990, the year before her father. Later, the Tsurkovs relocated to an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank.
Elizabeth Tsurkov Ethnicity and Religion Explored
Elizabeth Tsurkov is of mixed race, and her religion is unknown. That Tsurkov may be a Christian, but this information will be updated soon. Tsurkov, for your information, is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, English, and Russian. When she was nine years old, Tsurkov joined other children from the settlement in a rally in Jerusalem against the Oslo Accords, a peace process with the Palestinians.
Elizabeth Tsurkov was born in 1986 in St. Petersburg, Russia to Jewish parents, although her family eventually relocated to Israel. The rally became famous for its harsh provocation of then-prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.
Following Rabin’s killing, Elizabeth celebrated with the students and instructors at her local school a month later.
Where Is Elizabeth Tsurkov Now?
Kata’ib Hezbollah is holding Elizabeth Tsurkov hostage. She was kidnapped in March 2023 while conducting research for Princeton University in Iraq. Everyone is concerned, but Tsurkov is supposed to be safe. Her mother, Irina, initially informed Israeli public television Kan that she had not been contacted by any Israeli authority and was unaware of Elizabeth’s presence in Iraq.
Her sister Emma stated that she was aware her sister was in Baghdad but had lost communication with her in March. The family has also stated that the Iraqi government bears direct responsibility for Elizabeth’s protection.
Tsurkov had back surgery in a Baghdad hospital eight days before his kidnapping. She is still missing as of today, and more information regarding her case may be released shortly.
