Netanyahu Divides Families of Hamas Captives to Weaken Pressure

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with families of Israeli captives held by Hamas (dpa)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has successfully divided the protest movement organized by the families of Israeli captives held by Hamas to alleviate their pressure.
Through a network of assistants, supporters, and campaign financiers, Netanyahu established a new movement named Tikva, advocating for the continuation of military operations in the Gaza Strip until the liberation of the Israeli captives and avoiding negotiations with Hamas.
The new movement was announced on Sunday as a strategy to alleviate the pressure from the large-scale demonstrations and firm demands of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum.
The Forum called for an immediate end to the war and negotiations for a prisoner exchange with Hamas.
They threatened a hunger strike and planned to appeal to US President Joe Biden to represent them in negotiations.
Netanyahu is reportedly disturbed by these demonstrations, which portray him as indifferent to the lives of citizens and captive soldiers.
Although he did not attack the protestors publicly, Netanyahu has been sharply critical in private circles.
Netanyahu created divisions among these families since the war began, but his supporters remained a small, ineffective minority.
Well-funded professional entities have formed a significant and active movement, organizing meetings and campaigns in Israel and abroad to counter the Forum.
They promote the idea that freeing the captives should only be achieved through military pressure on Hamas and accuse those advocating for negotiations of aiding the enemy.
The founding document considers partial deals with Hamas as discriminatory against soldiers killed in action, labeling it a grave injustice to the fighters.
Zvika Mor, a father of a captive and a member of the Likud party, argued in a radio interview that the Hostages and Missing Families Forum spreads a defeatist attitude among the people and soldiers.
He emphasized that the majority of Israelis reject negotiations with Hamas and support the army's plan to liberate captives forcefully.
Eliyahu Libman, council chairman of Kiryat Arba in the West Bank, asserted that Israel needs to demonstrate it was solid and united, rejecting negotiations with Hamas.
Libman's son, Elyakim, is among the captives of Hamas.
Meanwhile, the Forum asserted that this new movement represents a politically-motivated minority with few hostages.
They said they would sacrifice their children for the Prime Minister's failing policies.
They believe the majority of families and Israelis want the government to prioritize the captives' issue and ceasefire until all are freed.
According to the economic newspaper Calcalist, the new movement was initiated by Berale Crombie, a businessman who funds Netanyahu's campaigns, channeling money through the Minister of Heritage, Amihai Eliyahu, via an association led by his brother.
Crombie, Netanyahu's prominent fundraiser, spearheaded the initiative aided by Shmuel Medad, chairman of the right-wing Honenu.
Medad, known for his aggressive stance at a recent meeting with Netanyahu and captive families, declared his readiness to sacrifice his daughter for Israel's victory over Hamas, although it was later revealed he had no daughter in captivity.