Religious Zionist rabbis oppose terms for hostage deal: 'The cost endangers Israeli citizens'

Senior rabbis of the Religious Zionist movement published a letter on Monday denouncing the terms of the hostage deal currently under negotiations, Walla reported Monday.

Rabbi Yaakov Ariel, Rabbi Dov Lior, and Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu were among the rabbis who signed the letter. 

The letter states that the release of the hostages is "one of the greatest and most important commandments in the Torah, and it is imperative to save them and return them to their families," however, they stated, "the costs required for the release of the hostages endanger all the citizens of the state," listing examples of potential Israeli concessions.

They continued, "the release of all dangerous monsters to allow the rebuilding of Hamas's collapsing army, withdrawal from strategic areas, and cessation of fighting before the defeat of Hamas - the public cannot endure any of these and similar measures."

Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu stated that they have researched this issue in depth and argued that even though it is a commandment to save hostages, it should not be at the cost of risking the state of Israel. 

Hostage negotiations

They concluded the letter with a prayer and wished Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu success in his mission of returning the hostages home. "Together with the whole House of Israel, we pray that God's redeemed will soon return healthy and whole in body and soul and that Zion will bring glory and eternal joy upon their heads," the letter concluded.  

As of Sunday, Netanyahu has agreed to send an Israeli negotiating team to hostage negotiations on Thursday. The Biden administration has helped to lead the initiative for a three-phased deal proposal in which Israeli hostages would be released in exchange for a pause in fighting and the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. 

Part of the terms in this three-phased plan includes the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the return of Palestinians to their homes, and the increased distribution of humanitarian aid throughout all of Gaza. 

Israelis throughout the country have been demonstrating for an immediate hostage deal for over nine months.