From the Liveblog of
Saturday, August 31, 2024
Hostage relatives chastise Netanyahu, one calls him ‘sabotager of the state’
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
At the Tel Aviv protest, Devorah Idan, mother of Tsahi Idan, 49, who was taken hostage from Kibbutz Nahal Oz on October 7 after his eldest daughter was killed, says that 330 days have passed, “and we’re still in the same nightmare of the massacre, the pogrom that took place in Tsahi’s house.”
Idan calls on all educators, principals, counselors, teachers and parents to educate the younger generation to understand that the greatest strategic asset of the people of Israel is its citizens, who must be educated in accordance with the Jewish values of preserving human life, mutual responsibility and social solidarity.
Michel Illouz, father of Guy Illouz, who was killed at the Supernova music festival where his was body taken captive to Gaza, addressed the prime minister, telling him there can be no victory over Hamas unless the hostages return home.
“Without them, the society will fall apart, our best minds will leave,” says Illouz, who calls Netanyahu “a sabotager of the state.”
“He’s scared of losing his job and we’re paying the price — and that’s more important to you than the lives of the hostages,” said Illouz. “My boy was killed, he won’t come back alive but those who are still alive in the tunnels of Hamas, we have to bring them home alive, now.”
The Times of Israel Community.