Representatives of the families of the abductees in the guest stand during the MKs' votes in the plenum/Knesset channel
MK Nissim Vettori of the Likud today (Wednesday) accused the members of the opposition of a protest by representatives of families of abductees - who barricaded themselves in the guest gallery in the Knesset plenum, on the day it went into recess, and began to smear yellow paint on the partition glass. "You are doing everything to prevent the return of the abductees. There are hitchhikers, demonstrators and Knesset members who harm the State of Israel, collaborate with the enemy. You are doing cheap populism," Vettori said in the Knesset plenum. "The abductees are of no interest to you. You block the Ayalon and light bonfires, you beat the abductees, the performances in the stands you organize, what is this thing? Shame on you."
Member of Knesset Mirav Ben Ari yells at him in response: "What would you do if your son was kidnapped? Do you also hang a picture in the office? Are you serious? They beat the kidnapped, how do you talk?"
MK Yulia Milanovski also responded: "Because of the opposition, the abductees are not returned, are you crazy? Did October 7th happen because of the opposition? Has Hamas risen to its feet because of the opposition? It certainly has nothing to do with the prime minister who put them on their feet. The plan in Rafah is not implemented also because of the opposition? You've gone off the rails."
Nissim Vettori/image processing, Yonatan Zindel/Flash 90
The families of the abductees painted their hands yellow and some attached them to the window of the guest stand during the Knesset Plenary/Flash 90, Yonatan Sindel
The families' action was done in protest of the conduct of the government, which they claim failed a deal to release their loved ones. Also, the families protested against the backdrop of the Knesset plenum, which is the last of the winter session, and the Knesset members going on vacation starting tomorrow, despite a public protest on this issue. The Knesset will go into recess starting tomorrow until May 19.
Earlier in the plenary session, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana spoke, referring to last night's stormy demonstrations in Jerusalem. "I cannot ignore the events of last night, which add to the growing incitement that characterized the days before the October Seventh, and threatened to tear us apart," Ohana said. "The dream of our enemies is that they will repeat the scenes of last night and even more seriously, the duty of all of us is to come to our senses and say 'stop'."
He called on the enforcement authorities and the prosecution to act "to curb the danger before we reach bloodshed, God forbid". He also said, "I call on all members of the house to rise to the occasion. I see each and every member of the Knesset as public leaders. We must all act to immediately change the destructive trends of incitement, hatred and division that threaten our future."
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