Protesters for a hostage deal demonstrated in front of the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday afternoon after Hamas published a video of Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who is being held hostage by the terrorist group, earlier in the day.
“Another video of a hostage has been published – as if Hamas is the one running the show – as if there is no government. We have no mother and father. There’s no responsibility; it’s thrown aside. Come now to Aza Street, in front of the Prime Minister’s Residence, to demand an end to this disaster already,” said the groups.
Protesters chanted, “We won’t allow the abandonment of the hostages,” “bring them all home,” and “their time is running out, a deal is on the table.”
Protesters outside of the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem, calling for a hostage deal, April 24,2024. (EVE YOUNG.)
Demonstrators blocked the road and lit a bonfire in the street. Firecrackers and flares were launched in the area. A large number of police officers were present at the scene.
Protesters gathered near the Great Synagogue in Jerusalem after hearing that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was present in the building, shouting “shame!”
One friend of Goldberg-Polin’s told The Jerusalem Post that “It’s a disgrace that he’s still [in Gaza] and the country is silent.”
Protesters also gathered outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening.
Police arrest two protesters
Police said they were working to keep the peace, noting that some protesters lit fires, set off fireworks, and overturned trash cans. Two of the protesters were arrested by police for starting a fire and disorderly conduct.
“Israel Police will allow the freedom of protest according to the law, but will act with the tools and powers at our disposal against rioters and violent rioters, whatever they may be, and all those who harm or attempt to harm public peace and security,” said police.
Hamas published a propaganda video showing Goldberg-Polin on Wednesday on their Telegram channel.
Hamas has periodically published videos of hostages in an attempt to increase pressure on the Israeli government to agree to its terms and as a form of psychological warfare. In the past, hostages have been forced to read from scripts prepared by the terrorist organization.
Hostage families forums call for action to free hostages
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stressed after the publication of the video that “for more than 200 days, 133 hostages have been held captive by Hamas, enduring daily physical, sexual, and psychological torment.”
“Hersh’s cry is the collective cry of all the hostages – their time is rapidly running out. With each passing day, the fear of losing more innocent lives grows stronger,” added the Forum. “We cannot afford to waste any more time; the hostages must be the top priority. All the hostages must be brought home – those alive to begin the process of rehabilitation and those murdered for a dignified burial.”
Tikva Forum, one of the two central groups of hostage families, responded to the video on Wednesday afternoon, saying, “This video is another signal that Hamas is undeterred and wants to abuse us, the families of the hostages.”
“We expect the prime minister and the War Cabinet to stop shuffling and start using significant levers of pressure that will bring back Hirsch and the rest of the hostages to their homes as soon as possible,” said the Tikva Forum. “There are many pressure levers for the return of the hostages that have not been used, such as the annexation of territories from the Gaza Strip, the cessation of ‘humanitarian’ aid, the occupation of the Philadelphi Corridor, and more.”
Eve Young contributed to this report.
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