Milgrom: political tug-of-war in Israel on the backs of hostages and their families
For the pacifist rabbi, the humanitarian aspect of the issue has given way to a fight over the government. For Netanyahu, it is an excuse to pursue the war and oppose an independent inquiry into the events of 7 October. Hostages’ relatives have been forcibly dragged away from the Knesset and are now the most recognisable face of the opposition in Israel.
Milan (AsiaNews) – Jeremy Milgrom, an Israeli rabbi and member of the NGO Rabbis for Human Rights, spoke to AsiaNews about the latest developments in the Gaza conflict and in Israel.
“Unfortunately, the suffering of the hostages and their families is no longer a humanitarian issue,” he said. Whether it is the faltering truce between the Jewish State and Hamas, or the still unresolved issue of the hostages and the bodies of those who died in the last 15 months, “the political aspect is now predominant.” Meanwhile, security guards at the Knesset tried to stop hostages’ relatives from entering the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament).
“Some say that solidarity with the hostages and their families is an anti-government position; others urge us to trust the government and that these protests are no good, a position I do not share,” noted the Israeli pacifist.
“In reality, the government forgot the hostages, then used them or considered them a pretext, an excuse to continue the war, to continue with the military campaign, and not one more reason to end [the military campaign], and sign an exchange to bring them home.”
Monday evening, Knesset security guards used force to push the relatives of the hostages trying to enter the Knesset, where a debate was underway centred on the events of 7 October and the demand for an independent inquiry, something Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu opposes.
Knesset guards eventually dragged protesters away, injuring at least three people, and only after some time, were some members of the delegation allowed to walk to the visitors' gallery.
Some 40 members of the October Council, which represents some 1,500 survivors, former hostages, and victims’ families, had initially tried to reach the gallery.
Speaking before the debate, the families renewed their call for an investigation, but Netanyahu reiterated his opposition seeing it as an attempt to remove him.
For Jeremy Milgrom, Israeli public opinion “is certainly not happy with what has been done so far regarding the hostages issue,” with a majority critical of the government.
While he thinks that the war is not likely to resume since “many reservists would refuse to fight again” and “war fatigue” is widespread, “seeing that Hamas has somehow survived 15 months of attacks and war came as a shock.”
“Actually, he majority in Israel is against the war,” but “a large part still wants the elimination of the group or, at least, see it lose control of the Strip,” the activist explained.
The movement the developed around the hostages, which has spent a lot of time in the past year calling for their release, is certainly one of the few critical voices in Israeli civil society and, perhaps, the only real force opposed to the government, not only over the war and the hostages, but more generally against its policy of pressure and occupation towards the Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, where another war is taking place in the shadow of Gaza.
“I think, the lack of solidarity, of attention, towards the Palestinians is really shocking, like the lack of attention to the hostages, to our soldiers. For us Israelis, these are truly dark and difficult times.”
Since the goal remains to bring home those who are still held by Hamas, some thought must go to the role played by US President Donald Trump who is expected to meet a delegation of former hostages and family members, including Eli Sharabi.
Although not yet finalised, the meeting is the work of Miriam Adelson, an American Jew, the widow of billionaire and casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, one of Trump’s main financial backers in his run for the White House.
Trump is an “ironic, unpredictable figure. In a certain way, his efforts have contributed to the release of some hostages, but no one can really say they know what he wants to do.”
Regarding his plan to expel Palestinians from Gaza and turn it into a luxury resort, “the worst thing is many Israelis would be happy” to see that.
Finally, the controversial proposal for a commission of inquiry on 7 October remains a politically hot potato. So far, only the army and Shin Bet have investigated the matter. Neither is likely to rock the boat. “They won’t note dysfunctions;” rather “they believe in the use of force, not in reconciliation.”
Many in Israel call for “greater aggressiveness, more actions against Hamas", unconcerned by the “needs of the Palestinians”; in fact, nothing has been done “to make their lives better,” which is one of the factors for “the climate behind the attack”.
It is important to note that, “No Other Land”, this year’s Academy Award for Best Documentary Film, was directed by Basel Adra, a Palestinian, and Yuval Abraham, an Israeli.
“In Israel few have seen it or will see it because the government has tried to ban it, to prevent people from seeing it, and it's a shame,” said Jeremy Milgrom. “But for us, it is a great recognition, a great achievement.”
(Photo taken from the Facebook page of Bring Them Home Now)
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12/10/2023 14:45
