From the Liveblog of
Saturday, February 17, 2024
In pouring rain, hostages’ families demonstrate outside PM’s residence in Jerusalem
In pouring rain, protesters in Jerusalem demanding the return of the hostages have arrived outside the Prime Minister’s Residence
Family members of the hostages are now speaking to the crowd from a large stage erected by organizers, blocking one of the streets leading to Netanyahu’s home.
Rubi Chen, the father of Itay Chen, who recently turned 20 in Hamas captivity, condemns the government for not sending a delegation back to Cairo to continue hostage negotiations.
“What right do the prime minister and the war cabinet have to not send a representative to Cairo?” he says.
“[Itay] loves basketball, to sing and dance, he loves this country,” says Hagit Chen, Itay’s mother.
“There won’t be a victory until we bring home all the hostages, including our soldiers,” she adds.
The Times of Israel Community.