The families of the abductees made a dramatic statement to the media this evening (Saturday), during which they pointed an accusing finger at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and claimed that he separates abductee deals due to political considerations. "We have seen how Netanyahu repeatedly derails a deal to release hostages, delays cabinet discussions, postpones discussions, hardens positions and then prevents the delegation from traveling and reduces the mandate. He is the obstacle to the deal," said Ila Metzger, the daughter-in-law of the abductee Yoram Metzger.
In a statement by relatives of the abductees, which took place outside the Begin gate of the Kirya in Tel Aviv, they added that "Netanyahu's conduct is unimaginable, it is a crime. We have no choice. We will act to replace you immediately - this is the fastest way to secure a deal." They later called on the members of the coalition: "Help us save our loved ones. Act to replace Netanyahu, act immediately to have another prime minister here. It must happen now, there is no time."
"This week, Netanyahu announced that he will conduct the negotiations alone," Metzger added. "Does it make sense to you that the decisions will be made by one person? We have all seen how his political personal interest drives him in making decisions. His coalition is leading a poison campaign against the families of the abductees. It is a complete and deliberate failure, and to anyone who says that he approved the delegation to travel with Merhav in action, we will say that it does not work for us." Einav Tsengaoker, the mother of Matan who is a prisoner of Hamas, told Netanyahu: "We will persecute you publicly and will not let up until you vacate the chair."
Demonstration of the families of the abductees (archive)/Niv Aharonson
Raz Ben Ami and Aviva Siegel, who spoke from captivity in Gaza, will speak at the main demonstration this evening in the Kidnapped Square. Shira Albag, the mother of the abductee Liri Albag, is also expected to speak.
Last Thursday, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu met for the first time with the families of the soldiers kidnapped by Hamas. In the conversation, he emphasized the importance of military pressure, saying that he is "managing the negotiations for their release himself." The families of the abductees said after the meeting: "We did not hear the Prime Minister new ones He continues to believe in his line."
"I know that every day that passes for you is hell," Netanyahu said at the beginning of his meeting with the families of the abducted soldiers, "Your sons are our heroes. Israel heroes. As we have returned 123 of our abductees to date, I am obliged to return them all, including everyone. I personally deal with it day and night."
The families of the abducted soldiers in a statement, before the meeting with Netanyahu/official website, spokesmen from the headquarters of the families of the abducted
Netanyahu added and emphasized that according to him it was only the military pressure exerted by the IDF on the Strip that led to the release of the abductees, and will lead to the future release of additional abductees. We conquered the north of the Gaza Strip and Khan Yunis. We have fortified the Strip, and we are preparing to enter Rafah."
"In order to return all of them, we need to use all these assets in an intelligent way," the Prime Minister told the families at the end of his speech, adding that "I negotiate myself every day - to return all of them and not just some ".
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