Why Israel’s Captive Families Open Their Government

These family members who were kidnapped in Gaza intensified their protests, like the one blocking the road in Tel Aviv. Last year, most Israelis followed suit. Now, they are divisive figures. Einav Zangauker had been a supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His son, Matan, was kidnapped from his home last October 7. Now it is a critic. Netanyahu’s government has announced that it will not stop fighting until Hamas is completely eliminated, something Einav and other families of the hostages say is unreasonable and would be a death sentence for their family members. Shortly after Oct. 7, many of the past political divisions within Israel were put aside in a moment of unity. Family members of the abductees met with the leaders. But as the months went on, frustration over the lack of progress in the talks grew. Relations between Netanyahu’s coalition and many of the kidnappers’ families have turned into open hostility. Over the past year, Einav has become a prominent voice in the protest movement pushing the deal, which many Israeli members say makes the country look divided and weak. More than 50 people were killed on October 7 in Einav’s hometown, where many people are pro-government. Now that there is a growing regional conflict and no ceasefire agreement in place, these kidnappers’ families are growing desperate.