Israeli hostage families call for parliament protest

JERUSALEM: The families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza called for a mass rally in front of parliament next week as thousands gathered to support them in Tel Aviv Saturday.
Shira Elbag, whose 19-year-old daughter Liri was abducted by Hamas militants during the October 7 attack on Israel, made an emotional plea urging Israelis to pile the pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“The time has come to go out and fight against indifference and for life,” she said.
“I now ask you to come out with us into the streets and let us sound one united and clear voice: ‘Bring them home now!’“
She said they would gather outside the parliament building in Jerusalem next week.
The weekly demonstration on the Tel Aviv plaza renamed by campaigners Hostages Square came as anti-government protesters also gathered nearby outside the Ministry of Defense.
Some held placards putting the blame for the hostages’ fate on Netanyahu, with pictures of his face next to the text: “UR the boss, UR to blame.”
Police accused the anti-government protesters of being “rioters” and said the demonstration was illegal.
Some of those who took to the streets in support of the hostages’ families later joined the anti-government rally, an AFP photographer said.
Hamas militants seized about 250 hostages on October 7, of whom Israel believes 130 remain in Gaza, including 33 who are presumed dead.
Former hostage Raz Ben Ami, who was freed in November after a deal brokered by the Qatar and Washington, appealed directly to Netanyahu to speed up talks for the release of the rest.
“Prime minister, on behalf of the hostage men and women, on behalf of the people of Israel, give the negotiators in Qatar the order. Do not return without a deal,” she said.
Elbag, one of the leaders of the Hostage Families Forum, which represents some of the families, added: “I haven’t closed an eye from the thoughts and fear of what Liri and the other hostages are going through. After 176 days, the excuses are over.”