Protesters call on Netanyahu to delay flight to US until hostage deal is closed

A protest and march from Shimon Agranat Square to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Aza Street home in Jerusalem took place on Thursday night, ahead of the prime minister’s planned flight to the US, to remind Netanyahu that he has a duty to bring the hostages home before flying to America next week.

“He is running away from the hostage families, running away from a deal, running away from the bereaved families, running from a national inquiry, running from decisions about the day after, and leaving us behind wallowing in a ruined country,” said the Black Flags protest group.

It also touched on the upcoming Knesset recess, saying that Netanyahu must bring back the hostages, “before he lets his extremist coalition members out for a three-month break during an emergency.”

“Now is the time to be here, to work on a deal, to be the voice that brings everyone home – the living for rehabilitation and a deal for the dignified burial [of those who are dead] in their country,” the forum announced

“The current chance to sign Netanyahu’s deal must not be missed,” it added.

PM asked to delay flight until deal reached

Further, the forum released a mock airport announcement calling on Netanyahu to delay his flight: “Attention passengers, because of a delay in the deal to release the hostages, the prime minister’s flight to Washington will wait.”

“The flight will take off right after everyone comes home. First a deal, then a flight.”

The protests on Thursday followed demonstrations around the country on Wednesday, in which protesters called for a hostage agreement and for Netanyahu to delay his trip to the US until after approving such a deal.

Protesters gathered near Karkur at the Hakfar Hayarok Junction, the Re’em Junction, the Elyakim Junction in Ra’anana, Even Yehuda, Zichron Ya’acov, Beersheba, and more.

They rallied in the Gaza border area, calling for a state commission of inquiry on the first day of a multi-day march, and demonstrators marched in a large protest through Tel Aviv as well.

Four protesters were arrested and two were detained at a protest outside Economy Minister Nir Barkat’s home on Thursday morning, according to the protest organization Change Direction.

Its activists gathered outside the homes of Barkat and Innovation, Science, and Technology Minister Gila Gamliel, calling on them to advance a hostage deal and a date for elections.

Additionally, protesters placed ballot boxes outside of Barkat’s house and others sat in Gamaliel’s building blindfolded with their hands tied.

“If, within members of the Knesset, there remains a shred of care for Israel – they should prove it by acting to immediately promote a deal and set a date for elections,” Change Direction said.