Relatives of Oct. 7 victims slam Netanyahu pardon request, demand state commission of inquiry

Carmit Palty Katzir, whose brother Elad was killed in Hamas captivity, says a “moral gulf” separates Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from his detractors who are gathered at Habima Square.

“‘They sanctify death, and we sanctify life,'” she says, quoting Netanyahu’s own comments about Hamas. “Netanyahu said these words and allowed countless deaths and murders to take place.”

“We are paying dearly for this conduct,” she says.

Referring to her brother and some 40 other hostages who were killed in captivity, Palty Katzir says, “each one is an indictment” against Netanyahu.

She says President Isaac Herzog should have immediately rejected Netanyahu’s request that Herzog put an end to the criminal proceedings against the premier, who is accused of corruption.

“Netanyahu is not asking for a pardon and is not worthy of a pardon,” she says. “He is asking to stay in power, without checks or balances. President Herzog should have immediately thrown out such a request.”

Eyal Eshel, father of slain surveillance soldier Roni Eshel, slams a reported proposal that Herzog pardon Netanyahu in exchange for a state commission of inquiry into failures surrounding the Hamas of October 7, 2023 — something Netanyahu has resisted.

“There will be no pardon for Saturday, October 7,” he says. “There will be no pardon for the people who failed in a manner that brought about the debacle and disaster.”

The demonstration disperses after protest MC Kalanit Sharon, head of the Pink Front performing arts protest group, leads the crowd in singing the Hanukkah song “We’ve come to banish the darkness.” The eight-day festival of light begins tomorrow night.