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Why Israel’s Hostage Families Are Turning on Their Government
Family members of hostages held in Gaza are escalating their tactics to push for a cease-fire deal. They say the government is dragging out the war in Gaza for political reasons, and putting their family members’ lives at risk.
These family members of hostages held in Gaza have stepped up their protests, like this one blocking a road in Tel Aviv. One year ago, much of Israel rallied behind them. Now, they have become polarizing figures. Einav Zangauker was a longtime supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Her son, Matan, was kidnapped from his home last Oct. 7. She‘s now a vocal critic. The Netanyahu government has declared it won’t stop fighting until Hamas is completely eliminated, something that Einav and other hostage families say is unrealistic and may be a death sentence for their family members. In the immediate aftermath of Oct. 7, many past political divisions within Israel were pushed aside in a moment of unity. The family members of hostages met with leaders. But as the months dragged on, frustration over a lack of progress in the negotiations grew. Relations between the Netanyahu coalition and many of the hostage families have become openly hostile. Over the course of the last year, Einav has become a prominent voice in the protest movement pushing for a deal, a movement that many on the Israeli right say makes the country look divided and weak. More than 50 people were killed on Oct. 7 in Einav’s hometown, where most people are supporters of the government. Now with an escalating regional conflict and no cease-fire deal in sight, these hostage families are growing desperate.
One year after their relatives were kidnapped during the Hamas-led attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, the family members of hostages pushing for a cease-fire deal have become polarizing figures within Israel, as divisions over the goals of the war in Gaza have emerged.
Thousands protest alongside them in the streets of Tel Aviv every Saturday, and over time, the movement has escalated its tactics to put pressure on the government to bring the remaining hostages home.
Around two-thirds of the roughly 100 hostages who remain in Gaza are believed to be alive.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition have said the war will continue until Israel achieves what they call “total victory,” which they define as the complete elimination of Hamas.
The families of hostages involved in the protest movement say this goal is unrealistic, and that time is running out for their loved ones.
Einav Zangauker’s son Matan, 24, was kidnapped from Kibbutz Nir Oz on Oct. 7, 2023, along with his girlfriend, Ilana Gritzewsky Kimchi, 31. She was released on Nov. 30 as part of the first cease-fire deal.
Ms. Zangauker, who is from a small right-wing city in southern Israel, has become a prominent voice in the pro-deal hostage family movement which has gained both broad support and faced fervent criticism.
Ms. Zangauker’s position represents the majority of hostage families, while a smaller group of family members say the government should continue fighting Hamas, even if it prolongs their loved ones’ captivity.
Sarah Kerr is a Times senior video journalist covering news and investigations. More about Sarah Kerr
See more on: Israel-Hamas War News, Benjamin Netanyahu
