The households of Israeli hostages held in Gaza referred to as for a mass rally in entrance of parliament subsequent week as hundreds gathered to assist them in Tel Aviv Saturday.
Shira Elbag, whose 19-year-old daughter Liri was kidnapped by Hamas militants throughout the October 7 assault on Israel, made an emotional plea urging Israelis to pile the strain on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“The time has come to exit and combat towards indifference and for all times,” she stated.
“I now ask you to come back out with us into the streets and allow us to sound one united and clear voice: ‘Convey them house now!'”
She stated they’d collect exterior the parliament constructing in Jerusalem subsequent week.
The weekly demonstration on the Tel Aviv plaza renamed by campaigners Hostages Sq. got here as anti-government protesters additionally gathered close by exterior the Ministry of Defence.
Some held placards placing the blame for the hostages’ destiny on Netanyahu, with footage of his face subsequent to the textual content: “UR the boss, UR guilty.”
Police accused the anti-government protesters of being “rioters” and stated the demonstration was unlawful.
A few of those that took to the streets in assist of the hostages’ households later joined the anti-government rally, an AFP photographer stated.
Hamas militants seized about 250 hostages on October 7, of whom Israel believes 130 stay in Gaza, together with 33 who’re presumed lifeless.
Former hostage Raz Ben Ami, who was freed in November after a deal brokered by the Qatar and Washington, appealed on to Netanyahu to hurry up talks for the discharge of the remaining.
“Prime minister, on behalf of the hostage women and men, on behalf of the folks of Israel, give the negotiators in Qatar the order. Don’t return with out a deal,” she stated.
Elbag, one of many leaders of the Hostage Households Discussion board, which represents among the households, added: “I have not closed an eye fixed from the ideas and concern of what Liri and the opposite hostages are going by. After 176 days, the reasons are over.”
