Mother of hostage confronts Smotrich outside Memorial Day ceremony

By Sam Sokol 13 May 2024, 1:12 pm

2 Edit

Sam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"

Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, confronts Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich outside a ceremony at a military cemetery in the southern city of Ofakim, pressing him to end his opposition to a deal with Hamas to return those held in Gaza.

“At least make a monumental effort for those who are still alive, for those who can still be saved,” she tells him calmly as he looks past her.

Smotrich tells her that the government is working to bring back her son.

“I’m giving you a big hug. We are obligated to bring him back and we are working toward that end,” he says.

עינב, אימו של מתן צנגאוקר החטוף בעזה, פנתה לשר סמוטריץ' בבית העלמין באופקים: "הוא ילד, תצילו את מי שחי, תעשו מאמצים"@Itsik_zuarets pic.twitter.com/pSR99qfXCL

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) May 13, 2024

Matan Zangauker, 24, and his partner Ilana Gritzewsky, 30, were abducted from their Kibbutz Nir Oz home on October 7 as Hamas terrorists massacred residents of the kibbutz during the group’s terror onslaught in southern Israel. Zangauker remains in captivity while Gritzewsky was released in November.

In recent weeks, Einav Zangauker has become a leading voice in the anti-government protest movement.

During his address at the event, Smotrich takes responsibility for the failures of October 7, stating that “the leadership of the state and the security system failed in the task of protecting the citizens of Israel, and I, as a member of the government, take responsibility for what has been and will be.”