The hostage families forum said that the government lacked “the opportunity of the century” to revitalize Israel, after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed during his press conference on Wednesday evening that there were definitively 20 living hostages in Gaza.
“Those who pay the price are the people of Israel, the hostages, the evacuated and the tens of thousands of reserve soldiers and their families,” said the declaration of the forum.
“After more than 19 months of war, there is no end in sight; no chance of recovery and rehabilitation on the horizon. The truth is that there can be national renewal without the return of all hostages, until the last.”
“Prime Minister Netanyahu must listen to the will of all his nation – to sign an agreement that will immediately bring all the hostages back and put an end to this war. It is only when they return that we can raise ourselves.”
‘Shame is lost’
Einav Zangauker, mother of the hostage of Hamas, Matan Zangauker, described Netanyahu as a “bloody prime minister” who dared to carry the osting pin while explaining how he would cause their death.
“Shame is lost,” she wrote on X / Twitter.
צופה בראש ממשלת הדמים עונד את סיכת החט supplied pic.twitter.com/lkuyybfclj
– עינב צנגאוקר (@enavazangauker) May 21, 2025
Warning of the long occupation of Gaza, economic consequences
The head of the opposition, Yair, Lapid, noted that Israeli citizens would carry the cost of the war continues in Gaza.
“The meaning of Netanyahu’s words is the occupation of Gaza for many years. Our children will wander in the streets of Khan Yunis and Rafah in the years to come, and every morning, we will wake up with the words “approved for publication”, said Lapid. “The Israeli taxpayer – The middle class – will have to pay for education, health care and the withdrawal of garbage in Gaza. Our international status will collapse. Our economy will seriously suffer. “
Lapid also said the Prime Minister had lost the Trump administration’s confidence.
“Netanyahu lied tonight when he said he had complete coordination with the American administration. He doesn’t do it. He lost Trump’s sympathy and attention,” said Lapid.
Yair Golan threatens to prosecute Netanyahu for defamation
During the press conference, Netanyahu criticized the president of Democrats Yair Golan, who said that Israel was “about to become a pariah state among the nations” because of her actions in Gaza.
ראיתי מופע של אדם אדם שקרן, לחוץ ורדוף שמטיל רפש על כולם, ולא לוקח אחריות על כלום. יש לי 2 הבטחות לנתניהו הערב: 1. אתבע אתבעותך דיבה על השקרים שאתה מפיץ נגדי .2. ננצח אותך בבחירות בקרוב מאוד ונשלח אותך לדפ 199
– Yair Golan – יאיר גולן (@ yairgolan1) May 21, 2025
Golan responded by promising Sue Netanyahu for defamation.
“I saw a demonstration of a man who is a liar, stressed and paranoid, who throws mud to everyone and does not take any responsibility for anything,” he said. “I have two promises for Netanyahu: first, I will continue for defamation on the lies that you have spread against me. Second, we will fight you very soon in the elections and send you to the pages of history. ”
Lapid also pushed Netanyahu’s remarks on Golan.
“The one who brought the condemned criminal and the head of terrorism Itamar Ben-Gvir in the security firm should not preach us or give us conferences on extremism,” said Lapid.
מי שהיו ° עם כפכפים זה החטופים שנחטפו בגלל ארגון הטרור שבנית במזו 5 quin של דולרים במזומן והכסף הקטארי שמרוח גם עליך. מפקיר ומקריב. ארור תהיה.
– Naama Lazimi – נעמה לזימי (@naamalazimi) May 21, 2025
MK Naama Lazimi Democrats called Netanyahu as “pathetic tyrant” on X.
“You have abandoned state security. While you hide in the Palik bunker and have signed a comfortable agreement with Qatar, Yair Golan went to the Gaza envelope and saved civilians that you abandoned. In Hamas, it is an asset,” she said.
“You are not worthy of the bravery of the fighters. These are all you are not. ”
Smotrich exhortes Netanyahu to hire a new head of Shin Bet
On the other hand, the Minister of Finance, Bezalel Smotrich, urged the Prime Minister to hire a new Tibia chief, that the prosecutor General Gali Baharav Miara informed the Prime Minister that he was not authorized to do.
“The chief of the Shin must be appointed immediately, completely ignoring the directive of the Attorney General. If the High Court invalidates the appointment, the responsibility for the management of the BET Shin, including his budget, should be transferred,” said Smotrich.
“I suggest that the Attorney General and the high court judges remove the hands of Israeli democracy and stop harming state security.”
