Extreme stance by Hamas on hostage release conditions should cool anti-Bibi protests and calls for ceasefire and surrender
The formal insistence by Hamas on a total ceasefire, full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and international guarantees on the teror group’s continued rule in Gaza brought talk of a deal ito a screeching halt.
Of course, a tiny minority of Israeli citizens still think that disrupting transport and daily life during wartime will somehow contribute to bringing home the hostages rather than just increasing their price. Hamas evidently believes Israeli society is about to devolve into civil war and paralysis that will grind the offensive to a halt before it can be completed.
Israel’s streets in Tel Aviv, Caesarea, and Jerusalem transformed into arenas of public outcry on Saturday as thousands convened to demand the swift release of over 130 hostages in Gaza and to call for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation. The rallies, mirroring a nation’s anguish and frustration, spotlighted the October 7 hostage crisis and the government’s response to it.
Organized by the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, these gatherings united individuals from diverse backgrounds under a common cause. Speakers at the rallies passionately argued for an end to the conflict in Gaza and a negotiation with Hamas for the return of the hostages. “Hamas demands a ceasefire as one of several preconditions for any deal,” media outlets reported.
Simultaneously, a surge of anti-government sentiment was palpable. Protestors in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem criticized Netanyahu’s leadership, vocally demanding his resignation amidst the crisis.
Jewish-American rapper Matisyahu, real name Matthew Paul Miller, lent his voice to the cause, declaring at the Tel Aviv rally, “You’ll have my voice, and all I’ll be thinking is the return of the hostages.” His performance included a poignant new song about antisemitism, laden with Holocaust references, followed by his acclaimed hit “One Day.”
In a stirring speech, Shira Albag, whose daughter Liri, 18, remains captive, shared, “I wake up alive and I go to sleep feeling dead.” The emergence of images showing Liri in captivity only heightened her despair. “It took me a while to recognize her, to understand that that girl in the blue sweatshirt is my daughter,” Shira revealed in a heartrending testimony.
Former hostage Chen Goldstein-Almog, speaking about the plight of women in captivity, said, “They are injured emotionally and physically.” She questioned the efforts being made for their return, adding, “I keep asking myself whether we’re doing enough to bring them back.”
Hagit Pe’er, head of Na’amat, criticized global women’s groups for their silence on the atrocities faced by hostages, asserting, “It’s #MeToo, unless you’re a Jew.”
U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, in her message, affirmed, “I’m praying for the release of your loved ones. Know that America stands with you.” Addressing the female hostages, she said, “I stand with you, believe you, and will fight for you.”
Avi Lulu Shamriz, father of a mistakenly killed hostage, expressed his dire outlook, “The way we’re going, all the hostages are going to die. It’s not too late to free them.”
Protestor Yael Niv underscored the political implications, stating, “the messianic elements in our government” pose a major danger to Israel.
In addition to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Caesarea witnessed protests outside Netanyahu’s residence, where demonstrators, including Mor Shoham, whose brother is a hostage, voiced their anguish. “136 coffins are not an image of victory,” Mor declared, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
As these demonstrations unfolded, the backdrop of the ongoing conflict and political turmoil in Israel provided a stark reminder of the complex challenges faced by the nation. The public’s unified voice for the hostages’ release and a change in government leadership marked a significant moment in Israel’s ongoing struggle for peace and stability.
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