Israeli Ministers Attack Protests, Considering Them a 'Reward for Hamas'

SadaNews - On Sunday, Israeli ministers and officials launched an attack on the protests taking place in several cities, demanding an end to the war and the return of detainees held in the Gaza Strip, considering them a 'grave mistake' that serves the interests of Hamas.

They emphasized that disrupting traffic on main streets and hindering the lives of Israelis gives a 'prize to the enemy', stressing that pressure should be directed towards Hamas through the international community, not against the Israeli government.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed during a cabinet meeting that 'those who today call for ending the war without defeating Hamas are not only exacerbating Hamas's stance and moving our hostages further away from being freed, but they are also ensuring that the atrocities of October 7 will repeat themselves and we will be forced to fight a never-ending war.'

He added, 'The navy attacked a power station in Yemen today, Israeli soldiers killed dozens of infiltrators in the Gaza Strip, and the air force targeted Hezbollah leaders and openings of tunnels for launching rocket platforms in Lebanon', claiming that the bombardment in Lebanon was 'in accordance with a ceasefire agreement.'

The families of the Israeli detainees held in Gaza responded by saying: 'Netanyahu, the hostages have been imprisoned in Gaza for 22 months during your term. Instead of deceiving the public, spreading media tricks, and insulting the families of the hostages, prepare our sons through an agreement and stop the war. This is the only resolution that the people of Israel demand, and the only possible resolution. It has become clear to all the people of Israel today that there were many opportunities to bring the hostages back.'

Finance Minister and member of the Israeli cabinet, Bezalel Smotrich, considered the ongoing protests throughout the country calling for an end to the war and the return of the hostages as 'a harmful campaign that plays into Hamas's hands'. He stated that 'the people of Israel woke up this morning to a bad campaign that harms the hostages in the tunnels and tries to push Israel to surrender to its enemies, endangering its security and future.'

In a post on his account on the 'X' platform, Smotrich said that the campaign, despite 'millions of shekels and the crazy media promotion led by irresponsible media and opportunistic political entities', has succeeded in attracting only 'a very small number of people', as he described.

He continued, 'The State of Israel does not stand still nor is it struck, and all that is happening is that a very small minority chose to disrupt the lives of citizens and close roads on their way to work'. He considered this data 'encouraging and proving that the majority of the Israeli people are not confused'.

He added that 'a state that wants to survive cannot surrender to its enemies or stop the war before eliminating Hamas and removing the danger that has threatened Israel from Gaza for many years, and returning all hostages' as part of what he described as 'total victory'.

On his part, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated that 'today's strike, produced by the Kaplan movement, is a continuation of strikes and encouraging evasion of service before October 7', in his words.

He added: 'These are the same people who weakened Israel at that time, and they are trying to do it again today. This strike strengthens Hamas and pushes away the retrieval of hostages. Of course, they will later blame the Israeli government. This looks like an opportunistic political campaign at the expense of the hostages.'

Transportation Minister and cabinet member, Miri Regev, stated that 'wars are won through unity'. She added, 'We saw again this morning the few who decided to divide the ranks and turn solidarity with our dear hostages into a political campaign', as she put it.

She continued, 'They are burning the streets and damaging infrastructure, and instead of uniting and strengthening the people of Israel and the hostages, they are enhancing Hamas.'

For his part, Israeli Minister of Culture and Sport, Miki Zohar, stated that 'Hamas committed a massacre against our people, taking our brothers and sisters into savage captivity, and now refuses to return them, this is the truth', in his words.

He added that 'closing central axes in Israel and disrupting citizens' lives is a grave mistake and a reward for the enemy who is watching these images this morning and rejoicing in joy', stressing that 'anger and protest should be directed towards international pressure on Hamas to release the hostages, not against those who are doing everything they can to bring them back home.'

The head of the Finance Committee in the Knesset, Knesset member Hanokh Milvetzky from the Likud party, strongly criticized the protests calling for the release of the hostages. He described them in a post on 'X' as 'riots in support of Hamas'.

He said: 'Jews, Israelis are burning the state in an attempt to prevent Hamas's destruction. There have been such people in our nation throughout history, and we have overcome them. And so it will be this time as well'. Milvetzky attached his post with documentation showing burning tires on one of the streets.

The families of the hostages responded to the ministers who attacked the protests by saying: 'You can continue to hide behind maneuvering and political calculations, but you will not be able to escape responsibility. This day will be recorded in the national memory of Israel - who chose to stand with the families and who turned their backs on them. The excuses are over. Bring everyone back to their homes now, or you will be remembered with shame forever.'

In a speech from 'the Hostages' Square', Israeli President Isaac Herzog said: 'We can differ in positions, but there is no Israeli who does not want the hostages at home', adding: 'I want to tell the world - stop the hypocrisy. Pressure Hamas and stop surrendering to its emotional games.'

In a message directed to the hostages, he said: 'We will do everything we can to bring you back home.' He added addressing the families: 'All the people of Israel are with you', before continuing: 'I say to everyone - stop the hypocrisy, and stop surrendering to Hamas. And I call on the world as well: stop the hypocrisy.'

Protesters closed traffic on Ayalon Highway heading north near Rokach intersection this morning, as part of the protests demanding an end to the war in Gaza and the release of hostages. Hebrew media reported that the street witnessed severe traffic congestion after vehicles previously drove slowly near Hahlach intersection to create congestion. Simultaneously, protesters closed dozens of streets across the country.

38 Arrested for 'Disruption of Order'

The Israeli police announced in a statement the arrest of 38 protesters for 'disruption of order' during widespread protests across the country, confirming that most of the demonstrations 'are occurring without exceptional incidents' and that participants are complying with police instructions.

The police stated in their statement that 'freedom of protest and expression does not mean the freedom to start fires or harm the freedom of movement for the general public or disrupt public order', indicating that all streets are currently open to traffic. They added that they 'will not allow disturbances and will deal with an iron fist with anyone who breaks the law'.

The police stated that they arrested 11 protesters in the Tel Aviv area, claiming that they 'disrupted public order and caused significant harm to freedom of movement', as stated, within the framework of protests demanding the return of hostages held in Gaza.

The police also announced the arrest of '10 disruptors during an illegal demonstration, after they raised signs and chanted slogans against Israeli operations in Gaza and ignored police instructions', according to a statement issued by them.

This comes on the 681st day of the war, demanding the release of approximately 50 prisoners in Gaza, where thousands of Israelis participated in protests described as 'the people's strike', joined by several institutions and workplaces that announced the cessation of activity in solidarity.

The strikes began at 06:29, at the time when Hamas's attack began on October 7, 2023, while families of the hostages and families of the dead issued a joint statement from an area near the Kirya in Tel Aviv, stating: 'This day, the day of the people's strike, is a historic day. Because we, the people, the mothers and fathers, brothers and sisters, chose to stand by each other.'