Archiv: Families of Hostages and Missing Persons Forum (organization) / Israel)


12.10.2025 - 10:42 [ DawnNews English / Youtube ]

Full Speech: Cheers and Boos as Trump Envoy Steve Witkoff Praises Netanyahu in Tel Aviv Rally

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL — October 11, 2025: Thousands gathered at a Tel Aviv rally supporting the release of Israeli captives from Gaza, where U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff praised Prime Minister Netanyahu.

While the crowd cheered “Thank you!” for Witkoff and U.S. efforts, boos erupted when Netanyahu was mentioned. Relatives of hostages have criticized the Israeli leader for allegedly delaying negotiations for political gain.

Witkoff defended Netanyahu and his negotiator, Ron Dermer, saying both had sacrificed much for Israel and devoted themselves to the country’s service.

12.10.2025 - 10:40 [ @globalnews / Youtube ]

Netanyahu booed by thousands at Hostage Square rally as US commends him in Israel-Hamas peace deal

Thousands gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square Saturday to celebrate the recently signed peace deal between Israel and Hamas, which was brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump. Upon mention of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s part in establishing the first phase of the deal, the crowd erupted in boos, repeatedly interrupting U.S. envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff’s speech. #Politics #BenjaminNetanyahu #Israel #Hamas #Gaza

05.10.2025 - 14:39 [ Times of Israel ]

‘It’s now or never’: Trump shares photo of crowd at Hostages Square rally for Gaza deal

Trump noted the widespread support in Israel for a hostage deal that ends the war, demonstrating a level of familiarity with domestic Israeli politics that has led him to squeeze Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu into accepting his proposal, even though it places the premier at odds with his far-right coalition partners who want to continue the war and permanently occupy Gaza.

05.10.2025 - 14:19 [ OneIndia.com ]

VIDEO: Israelis HALT Tel Aviv, Warns Netanyahu to End War | Hostage Families Say ‚It‘s Now or Never‘

Tensions are at a breaking point in Israel as thousands gather in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, demanding that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accept Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan and end the war. Hostage families, holding banners reading “It’s Now or Never,” have issued an emotional plea to the Israeli gove ment to ensure that Trump’s proposal is not sabotaged.

26.08.2025 - 20:32 [ The Independent / Youtube ]

Israeli protesters burn tires and block traffic as pressure grows for Netanyahu hostage deal

Aerial footage from Tuesday (26 August) shows widespread disruption on the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv as demonstrators call on the government to agree to a ceasefire deal which would see all hostages returned home.

Protesters can also be seen walking across the highways with placards with hostages faces on and banners reading “bring them home”, whilst black smoke from the burning tires billowed in the air.

Israeli protesters are hosting a “day of disruption” to call for an end of fighting, with numerous events planned across the country.

26.08.2025 - 20:29 [ Reuters ]

‚Day of Disruption‘ protests block roads, demanding Gaza war end

Protesters burned tires and blocked traffic in Israel on Tuesday (August 26), as they demanded the return of hostages held in Gaza. The protests are part of a nationwide „Day of Disruption“ as Israelis, in support of families of hostages held in Gaza, call on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reach an agreement with Hamas to end the war and release the remaining captives.

23.08.2025 - 22:30 [ APT / Youtube ]

LIVE | Hostage Families Lead Mass Rally in Tel Aviv Demanding Release Deal | APT

Streamed live 2 hours ago #TelAviv #Israel #GazaWar
Live from Hostages Square in Tel Aviv: thousands of demonstrators gather to demand an end to the Gaza war and a deal to free hostages still held in Gaza. Families of the captives are leading calls for urgent action as the war nears its two-year mark.

21.08.2025 - 17:40 [ Al Jazeera ]

Israeli captives’ families call for antiwar march in Tel Aviv this evening

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents relatives of Israeli captives in Gaza, has urged the public to join an antiwar march this evening in front of Israel’s Kirya military base in Tel Aviv.

The group says it invites Israelis to “stand and march with them … and cry out together: ‘Enough with sacrificing the hostages! Enough with sacrificing the soldiers, both active and reserve! Enough with sacrificing the evacuees!‘”

It also urged people who cannot join the march to step outside at 8pm (17:00 GMT) and flip on their phone flashlights in solidarity with the Israeli captives.

19.08.2025 - 18:13 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Hostages Families Forum Announced a Nationwide “Israel Stops Again” Protest for Next Sunday

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum calls on Monday evening, August 18, for another nationwide strike to pressure the far-right government into ending the genocide war and for the release of hostages on next Sunday after a similar action on last Sunday.

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On next Saturday, August 23, at 4:30 pm, will be held another Arab-Jewish rally, “The March for Peace and Life” from Dizengoff Square to Habima Square in Central Tel-Aviv, calling for a deal to end the war and occupation, a deal with Hamas for the return of hostages, as well as a lasting peace agreement with the Palestinians. The demonstration is an initiative of the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel, a leading umbrella organization among Arab-Palestinian national minority in Israel and sponsored by Hadash and several peace groups including Partnership for Peace, Standing Together, Women Wage Peace, Peace Now, and Breaking the Silence, among others.

18.08.2025 - 11:55 [ Tagesschau.de ]

Generalstreik in Israel: Tausende fordern Ende des Krieges in Gaza

Pia Steckelbach, ARD Tel Aviv, tagesschau, 17.08.2025 20:00 Uhr

18.08.2025 - 11:49 [ CNN ]

Protesters in Israel demand hostage deal in one of the largest demonstrations since Gaza conflict began

The nationwide grassroots strike and widespread protests grew over the course of Sunday as protesters demand the government secure the release of 50 hostages still in Gaza. People also protested outside government ministers’ homes.

The day of protests began at 06:29 a.m., the exact time when Hamas launched its deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Organizers said that throughout the day, over one million people participated in hundreds of actions held across the country.

18.08.2025 - 11:45 [ Anadolu ]

Thousands of Israelis stage general strike to demand Gaza swap deal, end war

Demonstrators attempted to block streets, tunnels, and bridges in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, prompting authorities to use water cannons to disperse them. Protesters also set tires on fire, leading to widespread traffic disruption.

Hundreds of private companies, municipalities, and organizations joined the action, while public broadcaster KAN said thousands of demonstrators shut down major roads, leading to traffic gridlock and suspension of train services.

Restaurants and cafes also closed, while Haaretz reported that dozens of Israeli artists, celebrities, and athletes voiced support and joined the strike.

15.08.2025 - 19:24 [ New York Times ]

Israeli Hostage Families Call for Nationwide Walkout

(August 12, 2025)

Families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza have appealed for a nationwide labor strike on Sunday to demand a cease-fire agreement with Hamas to free their relatives, even as Israel’s government has moved to expand the nearly two-year military campaign in the enclave.

“Silence enables their sacrifice on the altar of an endless war without purpose or goal,” said the Hostage Families Forum, an advocacy group. “This is the time for everyone to join us, across the entire country.”

15.08.2025 - 19:20 [ CNN ]

Hostage families call for nationwide strike as Israel prepares to escalate war

(August 10, 2025)

“We are shutting down the country to save the soldiers and the hostages,” said the relatives of the hostages in Tel Aviv. They were joined by the October 7 Council, which represents bereaved families of soldiers who fell at the start of the war.

Organizers said the initiative would start as a grassroots effort primarily through private companies and citizens who will strike on Sunday to halt the economy.

Within hours, the October 7 Council said “hundreds” of companies said they would participate in the strike, as well as “thousands of citizens who have declared they will take the day off.”

10.08.2025 - 18:09 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Mass Rallies Across Israel, Speakers Urge Soldiers to Refuse to Occupy Gaza, Calls to Launch General Strike

Following a big gathering at Hostages Square, hostages’ families begin a march around the army headquarters in protest of the Gaza occupation plan, joining protesters and other hostages’ families from the anti-government protest outside the Begin Street entrance to the army headquarters.

During that protest, speakers urged soldiers to refuse to serve in Gaza and called on opposition heads as well as business, labor and academic leaders to bring the country to a general strike. At the same time, dozens of activists split from the main march in Tel Aviv and are blocking the central Ayalon highway in both directions in several points. The activists burned tires in one of their blocking points and three were arrested by police.

10.08.2025 - 18:00 [ Times of Israel ]

Masses rally against Gaza City takeover plan, urge soldiers to refuse, seek general strike

Tel Aviv’s Ayalon highway shut down as protesters light bonfires in the road; relatives of hostages bewail ‘eternal war-mongers’ for choosing to ‘sacrifice’ their loved ones
(…)

Nearby, at the anti-government, pro-hostage deal protest in front of the Begin Street entrance to the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, speakers urged soldiers to refuse to serve in the expanded fighting, and called on opposition heads as well as business, labor and academic leaders to bring the country to a standstill.

“An entire county is held hostage by Hamas and the government of Israel,” said Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker. “What needs to be done? The country needs to grind to a halt, now.”

03.08.2025 - 11:07 [ ABC News ]

Hostage families desperate for a deal attend massive Tel Aviv protest

Families of hostages in Gaza attended a massive protest in Tel Aviv calling for the release of the remaining hostages. ABC News’ Ian Pannell reports from Israel.

26.05.2025 - 17:19 [ Middle East Eye / Youtube ]

Israeli anti-war activists: ‚We refuse the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians‘

“We‘re here to say we refuse the bombing of civilians, we refuse starvation, we refuse war crimes, we refuse the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.”

Israeli anti-war activists clashed with police during a demonstration against the war on Gaza in Tel Aviv on Sunday.

One demonstrator says they refuse to remain silent while Israelis continue to commit “such hideous crimes against humanity” in a “growing fascist regime”.

26.05.2025 - 17:17 [ India Today / Youtube ]

LIVE Protest In Israel | Anti-Government Hostages Protest LIVE | Israel-Gaza War LIVE | World News

(May 25, 2025)

Weekly demonstration of relatives of hostages and others, demanding a deal to release the hostages in captivity in Gaza and against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the way the government handled the war with Hamas.

08.05.2025 - 14:58 [ Al Jazeera ]

US official says Washington may advance Saudi deal without Israel: Reports

According to The Jerusalem Post, the US official told attendees Israel could face “a much heavier price” if it continues to oppose a ceasefire deal.

“President Trump is determined to move forward with a significant deal with Saudi Arabia, even without Israeli involvement,” the official reportedly said. “The ceasefire agreement with the Houthis is just a prelude. If Israel doesn’t come to its senses, even the ‘Deal of the Millennium’ will happen without it.”

The report said families of the captives hoped the meeting would result in greater international pressure on Israeli leaders to act.

19.04.2025 - 22:22 [ Doron Rabinovici / Bluesky ]

Demo in Tel Aviv für ein Abkommen, für einen Waffenstillstand, für die Befreiung der Geiseln, für ein Ende des Krieges in Gaza.

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01.04.2025 - 11:59 [ חדשות בזמן בטלגרם - קבוצת החדשות הגדולה בישראל / Telegram ]

משטרה פוליטית לא רלוונטית לאזרחים ח״כ נעמה לזימי מפונה בכוח על ידי שוטרים אלימים בהפגנה

01.04.2025 - 11:52 [ 10 News First / Youtiube ]

Israeli Protesters Violently Clash With Police Over Gaza, Netanyahu | 10 News First

Israeli protesters have clashed with police in Jerusalem, demanding the return of hostages from Gaza and the removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The demonstration was one of many across Israel, as public anger grows over the resumed bombing of Gaza and increasing discontent with Netanyahu’s government.

01.04.2025 - 11:46 [ Associated Press / Youtube ]

LIVE: Protest against Netanyahu in Jerusalem over security shakeup

Streamed live 17 hours ago #netanyahu #israel #live
Watch live as protesters rally against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu following his nomination of a new domestic security chief, Vice Adm. Eli Sharvit, after he moved to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar over a crisis of confidence that critics say is politically motivated.

01.04.2025 - 11:34 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Thousands of Protesters Block All Entrances to the Knesset

Several thousands of protesters against the far-right government and in support for the immediate release of the hostages blocked Monday, March 31, all entrances to the Knesset in Jerusalem, as part of the 14th consecutive day of mass protests.

30.03.2025 - 15:55 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Tens of Thousands of People Demonstrated Across Israel for Another Consecutive Week

For another consecutive week, tens of thousands of people demonstrated across Israel Saturday evening (March 29) for the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza and against the war in Gaza and the far-right government.

A rally against the government led by a coalition of protest groups was held at 6:30 p.m. at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square. After the demonstration, protesters marched to Begin Road to join hostages’ families demonstrating there at 8 p.m. Separately, a rally at Hostages Square at 8 p.m. organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum

23.03.2025 - 14:45 [ Diario AS / Youtuibe ]

‚NETANYAHU has CHOSEN DEATH,‘ says relative of hostage in TEL AVIV

The families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas on Saturday (March 22) called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a new hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza.

16.02.2025 - 07:44 [ Times of Israel ]

In video address to hostage rallies, freed captive pleads for protests to continue

In his pre-recorded address at Hostages Square, Ben Ami thanked the protesters who have come out week after week to draw attention to the plight of the hostages and ensure that they remain in the public eye.

What keeps you going is that suddenly you see a nation fighting for you,” he said. “You have no idea, no idea how much power that gives to those left behind.”

11.02.2025 - 10:49 [ Ynetnews.com ]

Families demand answers as Israel stalls on next hostage release phase

(February 9, 2025)

Government delays Security Cabinet talks on Phase II of hostage deal despite public outrage; families urge swift action after freed hostages appeared gaunt and frail, underscoring dire state of 76 captives still held in Gaza

26.12.2024 - 12:19 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Knesset Votes to Extend State of Emergency, Poll: Majority Support Ending War

(December 24, 2024)

According to a poll published by Maariv on Friday, a substantial 74% of the public says Israel should pursue a comprehensive deal to secure the return of all hostages, even if it requires halting the fighting in Gaza. Among opposition voters, support reaches 84%, while 57% of coalition voters agree. In contrast, only 16% favor a partial deal, and 10% remain undecided.

In addition, text messages published Thursday purport to show that Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Netanyahu, was instrumental in efforts to combat those perceived as enemies of the family, going so far as to instruct her husband’s secretary to send activists of his Likud party to hurl obscenities at their neighbors, the parents of a fallen military pilot, who were active in demonstrations against the premier.

The correspondence of Benjamin Netanyahu’s late aide Hanni Bleiweiss, published by Channel 12 investigative program “Uvda” (facts), indicated that the premier’s wife and son were active in efforts to dig up dirt on his political rivals; intimidate key actors in his corruption trial; and sic law enforcement on protesters against him, while seeking the promotion of police officers who complied with the request.

11.11.2024 - 16:32 [ Communist Party of Israel ]

Tens of Thousands Across Israel Protest Far-Right Govt and for the Release of Hostages

(November 10, 2024)

Protests calling against Netanyhau’s government and for the release of hostages were also held Saturday evening in Jerusalem, Beersheba, Haifa, Kfar Sava, Raanana Junction, Nes Ziona, Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat, Rehovot, Karkur Junction, the southern Shaar HaNegev crossroad, Zikhron Yaacov and other localities. Five people were arrested in Jerusalem, Haifa and Karkur. At Haifa the police attacked again a protest vigil at Central Carmel, Activists from the Anti-Occupation Bloc, among them Hadash activists, demanded the end of the deadly war in Gaza and Lebanon and during the protest cops confiscated signs against the massacre in Gaza

02.09.2024 - 22:26 [ Forward.com ]

Why are American Jewish institutions ignoring the hostage families?

(July 7, 2024)

There are exceptions of course. The Reform Movement issued a statement supporting President Joe Biden’s announcement of a potential ceasefire and hostage release plan, and calling on Netanyahu to accept it. T’ruah, the organization I lead, has been clear in our calls for a bilateral ceasefire that brings home the hostages and ends the war. Ditto our partners in the Progressive Israel Network, including J Street, Americans for Peace Now, New York Jewish Agenda and New Israel Fund.

But many of the largest Jewish organizations, including legacy groups such as Jewish Federations of North America, American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League have decoupled calls to “Bring them Home” from any talk of ending the war, and have refrained from placing any blame on the Israeli government.

02.09.2024 - 22:15 [ i24news.tv ]

Hostages families forum blames Netanyahu for death of captives

„A deal for the return of the abductees has been on the table for over two months,“ the forum said. „If it weren‘t for the thwarting [of the deal], the excuses and the spins, the abductees whose deaths we learned of this morning would probably be alive.

„Enough with the excuses. Enough with the spins. Enough of the procrastination!

The time has come to return our abductees home – the living for rehabilitation and the victims and the murdered for burial in their own country.“