Hundreds of Israelis demonstrated in the city of Rehovot, near Tel Aviv, today, Saturday, April 13, 2024, demanding early elections and a deal to exchange prisoners held in the Gaza Strip.
Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper said that approximately 300 Israelis demonstrated in front of the Weizmann Institute of Science in the city of Rehovot, demanding early elections and the conclusion of a prisoner exchange deal (with Hamas).
At the same time, 40 representatives of the families of Israeli prisoners in Gaza sent a letter to the government’s legal advisor, Gali Beharev Meara, demanding that the Prime Minister’s powers in managing negotiations for the return of the kidnapped be reconsidered. His personal interests in delaying his trial and his political survival.
“After nearly six months in which we have not stopped asking for our loved ones at home, we have lost confidence in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ability to carry out his duties,” the families wrote in the appeal.
Einav Tsinguker, mother of Matan Tsinguker: “These things, which are direct testimony from the inside, prove what we are crying out for: Prime Minister Netanyahu is acting in the kidnapping case for personal political considerations, and he is deliberately obstructing the deal, and therefore he is the obstacle to the deal, and we all see the result: Negotiations are stuck again, and the kidnappers have been left to abuse and death for six months.”
She said, “We appeal to the professional ranks, the head of the Shin Bet, the head of the Mossad, and the head of the negotiating team: If you see that Netanyahu is delaying the deal over and over again for personal and political reasons – come out and tell the public the truth… We have to know what is happening. Come out and tell the truth! And we say to you here loud and clear, Netanyahu.” The testimony of the negotiating team members left no room for doubt, and this is our conclusion: You are responsible for the kidnapping of kidnappers in Gaza. Because of you, Israeli women are now being raped in Gaza. Because of you, Israeli men are now being tortured in Gaza. Because of you, the kidnappers in Gaza are killing families. Yes, it was because of you! They could be home, but you’ve spoiled the deal!
Demonstrations against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are expected to expand later today to include other cities and regions across Israel.
Every day, Israelis demonstrate in several areas to pressure Netanyahu’s government to conclude a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian factions in Gaza, leading to the release of prisoners detained in the Strip.
