Gov’t ministers, coalition MKs condemn nationwide protests, opposition affirms support

Mass protests were held across the country after families of hostages held in Hamas captivity said they would bring the nation to a standstill to demonstrate against the government’s decision to expand the military campaign in Gaza and in solidarity with the hostages.

The protests “play into Hamas’s hands, bury the hostages in the tunnels, and seek to bring the State of Israel to surrender to its enemies, endangering its security and its future,” he said.

“The State of Israel is not standing still, not striking, and not following all kinds of bombastic slogans they’re trying to sell us,” Smotrich said. “Essentially, it’s just a very small number of people who choose to disrupt the daily routine of Israeli citizens and block their way to work.”

The strikes were a failure that “weaken the State of Israel, and they do not bring the hostages any closer to being returned,” he said later in the day.

Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar (Likud) said: “Blocking Israel’s main roads and disrupting the lives of Israeli citizens is a grave mistake and a reward for the enemy, who sees these images this morning and rejoices.”

Transportation Minister Miri Regev (Likud) called for unity and said the protesters were turning “solidarity for our dear hostages into a political campaign” and “strengthening Hamas.”

The demonstrators were burning roads and damaging infrastructure, she said.

Knesset Finance Committee chairman Hanoch Milwidsky (Likud) wrote in a social-media post: “The pogroms in support of Hamas have begun. Jews, Israelis, who are burning the country in an attempt to prevent the destruction of Hamas.” He posted a video of tires that were burnt in the middle of a highway as part of the protest.

In response, Yesh Atid MK Merav Ben Ari criticized Milwidsky and cited allegations against him of sexual misconduct and obstruction of justice.

“I understand that the suspect in the eightfold rape case, because of cowardly [Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu, called the protests ‘pogroms in support of Hamas,’” she said.

“Keep going, protest, don’t pay attention,” Ben Ari said. “See you at [Hostage Square in Tel Aviv]. There is no more justified protest.”

Other opposition MKs called on Israelis to join the nationwide strike and expressed their support.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid, who went to Hostage Square, said: “Go on strike today. This is not a provocation. It’s not part of the political quarrel. It’s not the opposition. Strike out of solidarity. Strike because the families asked, and that is reason enough.”

President Isaac Herzog spoke at Hostage Square and said no hostage has been forgotten.

Blue and White chairman Benny Gantz spoke at Hostage Square and said any attacks against the families of the hostages “weaken and divide us.”

“This morning, hundreds of Israelis gathered at Kfar Hayarok junction to launch the strike for the return of the hostages,” he wrote. “Tens of thousands took to junctions across the country, calling for the release of the hostages and an end to the war. There is no more time. We will do everything to bring them back now. Join us throughout the day in continued protests, the strike, and disruptions.”

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett later in the day attributed the tensions to the government, which he said wants “to hide its failure. The government reverts to its expertise: tearing the nation apart from within and creating two camps.”