2 days ago
Thousands of Israelis go on strike to demand ceasefire and hostage releases
Thousands of Israelis have joined a nationwide strike demanding a ceasefire deal to free the hostages and protesting against the government's plan to occupy Gaza.
The strike, initiated by families of hostages, saw protesters taking to the streets across the nation on Sunday, blocking major highways with burning tyres, and staging demonstrations in front of government ministers' homes.
Police used water cannons to disperse protestors who blocked Highway 16 in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, 25 people were arrested across the country for violating public order, according to the authorities.
Noga Gur Arye, the aunt of Israeli hostage Alon Ohel, spoke at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Sunday morning, saying her nephew is '40 metres underground'.
'He's bound in chains, he's severely wounded, he's probably losing his sight. He suffers from severe head trauma and shrapnel throughout his body, and he's alone,' she said, adding that the people of Israel 'don't have the privilege to ignore, we don't have the right to distance ourselves or flee from this reality'.
Lishay Miran Lavi, the husband of hostage Omri, said: 'Today is just the beginning. We intend to escalate the struggle. We have no other choice.'
Isaac Herzog, the president of Israel, also made an appearance at Hostage Square on Sunday morning, with a plea to international media and decision-makers: 'Our sons and daughters are there in the dungeons of Gaza for 681 days. We want them back home as soon as possible.'
'The world should want them back home as soon as possible. Press – because when you know how to press, you press, press and tell Hamas, 'No deal, no nothing, until you release them.''
Protesters were also seen marching towards the Gaza border, where they plan to set up a camp where they will be sleeping overnight.
A number of large high-tech firms allowed their employees to join the strike, including Wix, Meta and Fiverr. Israel's Bar Association, universities in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem, and Israel Airports Authority employees union also backed the strike, allowing staff to take a day off.
Groups of protesters also gathered in front of the private homes of Amir Ohana, the Knesset speaker, Yoav Kisch, the education minister. Nir Barkat, the economy minister, and Sharren Haskel, the deputy foreign minister.
Demonstrators were planning to hold a joint prayer at 6pm local time at Hostage Square before a big rally.
The large-scale protests were met with harsh criticism from government ministers who accused demonstrators of playing into Hamas's hands.
'All these protests accomplished one thing for certain: they strengthened Hamas and set back the release of the hostages,' Amichai Chikli, the diaspora affairs minister, told The Telegraph.
Bezalel Smotrich, the far-Right finance minister, called the protests a 'bad and damaging campaign that is playing into Hamas's hands and is burying the hostages in the tunnels.'
And Miki Zohar, the culture minister, criticised the disruption of daily life in Israel, calling it a 'grave mistake and a reward for the enemy who sees the pictures this morning and revels in joy'.
'The rage and protests must be aimed at international pressure against Hamas so that it releases our loved ones, and not at those who are doing everything to bring [the hostages] home,' Mr Zohar added.
'Our hostages are not pawns'
Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, who backed the nationwide strike, responded to accusations by ministers that Israeli demonstrators were rewarding Hamas, saying: 'Have you no shame? No one empowered Hamas more than you.
'We are shutting down the country today. Because our hostages are not pawns that the government is allowed to sacrifice for the sake of the war effort — they are citizens that the government must return to their families.'
Benny Gantz, the former defence minister and leader of the National Unity party, also lashed out at the ministers who attacked demonstrators, saying their accusations 'weaken and divide us'.
Families of hostages have long accused the government of abandoning their loved ones in Gaza, and have warned that Benjamin Netanyahu's plan for a full occupation of the enclave is a 'death sentence' for the hostages.
