Families of Israeli captives criticise Netanyahu amid large protests

In response to widespread demonstrations across the nation, the families of Israeli captives in Gaza have stepped up their criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu because the Israeli military’s continued ground offensive and deadly bombardment of Palestinian territory have threatened their loved ones’ liberation.

Members of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum accuse the Israeli government of prioritizing its war over ensuring the return of their relatives and took to the streets on Saturday in Tel Aviv, Shar HaNegev Junction, Kiryat Gat, and Jerusalem.

The organization stated in a statement on Saturday that “we demand that the decision-makers return to the negotiating table and not leave until an agreement is reached that will bring them all back.”

Einav Zangauker, the mother of the captive Matan Zangauker, who directly addressed Netanyahu at a rally on Saturday, said, “Tell me, Mr. Prime Minister: How do you go to sleep at night and wake up in the morning. Knowing that you are abandoning 58 hostages, how do you look in the mirror?

Following Netanyahu’s choice of Major General David Zini to lead Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, the Shin Bet, the growing animosity among families has only grown.

During Israeli military training, Zini reportedly told colleagues: “I oppose hostage deals. I oppose any deal to put an end to Israel’s occupation of Gaza.” According to Channel 12 in Israel, this is “a war that will end forever.”

Major General Zini’s words “outrage the families of the kidnapped.” These are shocking and degrading words coming from someone who will determine the fate of the kidnapped men and women, the forum said in a statement released on Friday.

The organization claimed that appointing a Shin Bet chief would put Netanyahu’s war before the kidnapped people’s lives would be a crime and injustice against Israel as a whole.

The Supreme Court of Israel ruled that Zini’s firing attempt to replace Ronen Bar, the ex-Shin Bet chief, was unlawful, citing a conflict of interest related to Netanyahu’s ongoing corruption trial.

In any case, Netanyahu chose to continue with the appointment of Zini despite the court’s ruling that he was unable to do so.

Later, the attorney general expressed concern that the prime minister had violated the constitution and altered the appointment procedure.

The International Criminal Court has requested an international arrest warrant for the prosecution of Netanyahu for war crimes committed during the Gaza conflict, but Netanyahu is still at the mercy of the international court.