Demonstrators have been calling for the end of the war to save the hostages and have even declared Netanyahu responsible for the rape of Israeli women. As we read in Haaretz:
Outside the defense ministry complex in Tel Aviv, hostage families have addressed the media and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of sabotaging any possible deal that will guarantee their return.
“You are responsible for abandoning the hostages in captivity in Gaza. Because of you, Israeli women are being raped right now in Gaza… Israeli men are being tortured right now in Gaza… hostages are being executed in captivity! Yes, because of you!” said Einav Zangauker, mother of Matan, who is held hostage in Gaza.
Open gallery viewAyala Metzger, daughter-in-law of hostage Yoram Metzger, spoke next, saying, “once again we call upon Gallant, Gantz, Eisenkot and members of the Likud Party who have a conscience: do what needs to be done to replace Netanyahu with a responsible leader who will secure a hostage release deal! If you don’t make this happen, the blood of the hostages will be on your hands too! So, if the price we have to pay in order to get our loved ones back alive, is to put an end to this war, then do it, declare this war is over.”
Yehuda Cohen, father of Israeli hostage Nimrod, said: “We see the government failing in its management of the war. We see the lack of coordination between the government and the military. We see that the hostages aren’t their top priority… We call upon the public to continue taking to the streets, the pressure you put on the government helps.”
The protest in Caesarea takes place after lawyers representing arrested protesters alleged political bias among Hadera police officers who are securing the rallies. Ex-Knesset Member Gabi Lasky said in a speech that, “Instead of sleeping on the floor in the defense headquarters, instead of going out to the public, Netanyahu escapes to his friend’s atomic shelter in his Jerusalem villa.” According to her, “This is exactly the pattern that symbolizes his rule – Netanyahu only cares about his personal and political survival.”