Families of Israeli Hostages Hold Passover Seder in Front of Netanyahu's Home - Israel News - Haaretz.com
Hundreds of people calling for the release of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, including relatives of 12 hostages, are demonstrating in Caesarea on the eve of Passover, marking the holiday with a "Protest Seder" in front of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence.
"There is no freedom while the hostages are held captive by Hamas," the hostages' families said in a statement. "Netanyahu, who failed to manage the war and return the hostages, cannot keep leading," the statement read. Meanwhile, residents of Kibbutz Be'eri are holding a ceremony at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.
Ravit Cooper, daughter of hostage Amiram Cooper, spoke at the feast in Caesarea and criticized the prime minister's conduct. "Benjamin Netanyahu – you are responsible for the terrible and ongoing failure! Tonight we cannot celebrate the exodus from bondage to freedom, we can only sense the painful longing for our loved ones held in the darkness."
Yehuda Cohen, father of captive soldier Nimrod Cohen, said: "After six months of abandonment, another holiday passes and the hostages are not back. We are getting deluded recommendations to deliver matza and wine [to the hostages]. We are subject to a poison machine. The Shin Bet is busy counting live hostages while it should be busy with bringing them home."
Protesters outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea, on Monday.Credit: Fadi Amun
Einav Zanguaker, mother of kidnapped soldier Matan, gave a speech. "On the eve of Passover, the holiday of freedom, Matan is in the Hamas tunnels with terrorists. Did you hear that Netanyahu? You promised that Hamas would be deterred, but on the holiday of freedom, 133 Jewish citizens are in Hamas captivity. One of them is my eldest son, where are your children during the holiday? By your side? In Miami?" she said.
"Last Passover I believed you would bring us security, you betrayed my trust, you betrayed Matan and the Israeli nation. You lie to us that we are free, but under your rule we cannot live in freedom. Especially not while the hostages are still there. You are lying to us that the war is ongoing, but it has ended long ago," she said.
Zengauker stressed that she does not believe a ground operation in Rafah will bring back her son. "Invading Rafah is not exodus, it is enslavement to more war that will bring us nothing. You and I both know that you and Hamas go hand in hand, you have no interest in finishing the war and no interest in bringing Matan home. Release us from you so we can have a brave leader who will close a deal."
Noam Dan, a relative of hostage Ofer Kalderon, said: "199 days in the captivity of hell, I turn to address all the cabinet members and prime minister sitting in a fancy hotel. I will haunt you. The hostages are not war prisoners, they are civilians, it is our responsibility, there will be no victory without them. Bibi is killing us, only diplomatic agreements will get them out alive. The hostages are not political."
Protesters outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea, on Monday.Credit: Fadi Amun
"I know there are people who will gladly call this a protest, and try to tag this platform as political, and say we are illegitimate. But it is not true," she said, stressing that the demand to release the hostages is not political, but moral. "It's time we shake up the country," stated Dan. "Besiege the Knesset, besiege Bibi's house, besiege Gallant's house. They are spilling our blood, they are shattering the country, they cling to those who encourage the fighting without logic and without an objective."
A political source told Haaretz on Sunday that the hostage deal negotiations are in crisis, and it is unclear how Israel will get out of the situation it has found itself in. "The standstill is clear: Hamas is demanding a cessation of hostilities, and Israel refuses," said another source privy to the talks.
Protesters outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea, on Monday.Credit: Fadi Amun
According to him, "the simple way to a solution is to be able to find an original, imaginative equation that will please both sides." That is, to allow the IDF to continue demonstrating its presence in Gaza but in a way that Hamas will see a significant reduction in the activity of the forces. According to him, another solution may be that one of the parties simply compromise in order to allow the release of the Israeli hostages and the Palestinian prisoners, "but both sides are not interested at the moment."
At the political level, in recent days, another scenario has been identified for solving the hostages issue: settling relations with Saudi Arabia, a possibility that should become clear in the coming month and may produce a chain reaction that will allow contacts to move forward.
The settlement may force Israel to cease hostilities, and remove the limitation that prevented Hamas from advancing the deal. The cessation of hostilities in Gaza may at the same time promote a settlement on the northern border. "With or without a limited military operation against Hezbollah," as a political source described it.