‘Leftist murderers of Jews’: Hostages’ families’ banner in Tel Aviv defaced with graffiti

A banner hung on a Tel Aviv bridge advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza is defaced with graffiti decrying “leftist murderers of Jews,” the Kan public broadcaster reports.

The banner, hanging on a bridge overlooking the Yarkon River, calls for activism “until the last hostage” is freed.

The graffiti, in black spray paint, also condemns “leftist apostates.” It refers to “The leftist massacre,” a likely reference to the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The graffiti also includes an acronym referring to God’s help that is traditionally written in the headers of religious documents.

שלט של מטה משפחות החטופים בגשר הירקון הושחת @AnnaPines_
צילום: שימוש לפי סעיף 27 א' pic.twitter.com/ArIICUUQz1

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) August 13, 2025

The banner belongs to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of most of the 50 hostages held by terror groups in Gaza. The organization has consistently rallied for a ceasefire deal to free the hostages, at least 20 of whom are thought to be alive.

“The hostages’ families received the news [of the graffiti] with deep shock. The hostages are not a political tool,” the forum says in response, according to Kan.