Knesset speaker visits jailed leak suspect, drawing anger from hostage relative

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana is being criticized after he visited a reservist who is jailed over allegations he helped leak sensitive military information to a foreign news outlet as part of a ploy to torpedo a potential hostage deal.

Ohana had been to Ayalon Prison, where Aaron Rosenfeld has been held for a month as he awaits trial in a case that has embroiled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office and drawn the ire of his right-wing allies.

A spokesperson for Ohana says he visited to show support for Rosenfeld and his bid to be released on bail and freed “from draconian conditions.”

Responding to the visit, Gil Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel Gat was one of six hostages executed by Hamas in a tunnel several months ago, expresses anger over Ohana’s priorities.

“We have invited, requested, pleaded, but for 14 months the Knesset speaker has not visited Hostages Square,” he is quoted saying by Ynet. “I wish the Knesset had a speaker that cared for the hostages as much as they care for officers suspected of killing a hostage deal.”