Ex-hostages, families call for Gal Hirsch to quit after ‘despicable comments’

A group of former hostages and their relatives call for the resignation of Gal Hirsch, the government hostage point man, after he said, in a series of interviews, that mass demonstrations on behalf of the hostages aided Hamas.

“For two years, Hirsch presented the families with a collection of lies and eye-rolling, threatening and blackmailing us not to speak out against the prime minister, while holding an official position and a position of power over us and our loved ones held captive by Hamas,” the letter, sent to to him this evening, reads, as quoted by Hebrew media outlets.

The letter is signed by six former hostages, including Arbel Yehud, Ada Sagi, Nili Margalit, Karina Englbert, and 72 relatives of hostages.

“His despicable comments against the struggle of families and against specific families are the continuation of the abuse by other means,” the letter reads.

The letter demands Hirsch resign “immediately” as head of the government’s hostages directorate, which he announced on Thursday is now pivoting to focus on rehabilitation for the hostages and their families.