‘No flight without a deal,’ say protesters ahead of Netanyahu's scheduled trip to White House

Anti-government protesters gathered again across Israel on Saturday night, where many called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to sign a hostage ceasefire deal before departing for the United States.

Netanyahu is set to fly to Washington, D.C. early Monday morning, after his flight was delayed for one day due to U.S. President Joe Biden's recovery from COVID-19.

Following a meeting with Biden at the White House, Netanyahu will address the U.S. Congress for the first time since 2015, when he was invited by Republicans to speak against the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal with Iran, being negotiated by then-U.S. President Barack Obama. 

At a rally near the IDF's military headquarters near Tel Aviv, Einav Zangauker, the mother of the hostage Matan Zangauker, accused Netanyahu of holding up the ceasefire deal for political interests. 

She said that only one person is standing between the hostages and their loved ones, “and that is the prime minister, to whom it is more important to save his seat than it is to save lives.” 

Alon Gat, brother of hostage Carmel Gat, told Ynet News that he turned down the invitation to accompany Netanyahu on his trip to the U.S. 

“Netanyahu invited me on the flight and at first, I thought it could help, that we would be able to impact things,” Gat said. “But as the deadline approached, we realized that this [signing the deal] wasn’t going to happen, and instead the opposite is true – he is hindering progress and isn’t making any decisions.” 

Several hostage family members are scheduled to travel with Netanyahu to the U.S., including Noa Argamani, who was freed in a dramatic rescue mission at the beginning of June. 

Yifat Calderon, the cousin of hostage Ofer Calderon, called on Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to tell the public the truth about which side is responsible for blocking the hostage deal.

“If Netanyahu sabotages the deal again, come out to the public with the truth,” she said. 

In the capital city of Jerusalem, demonstrators carrying signs marched to protest Netanyahu’s trip to Washington. One banner read: “No flight without a deal.” 

A rally planned for Sunday night near the Prime Minister’s residence in Jerusalem will reportedly be attended by those in favor of Netanyahu’s decision to continue military action against Hamas while negotiating for a hostage release.

Under the slogan, “Don’t stop until victory!” the rally is being organized by several groups opposed to a military ceasefire, including Im Tirtzu, the Tikvah Forum (Forum of Hope), the Forum of Heroism, and the Forum until Victory. Among the rally supporters are hostage family members who oppose a “reckless deal” that would endanger the security of Israel. 

Zvika Mor, a member of the Tikvah Forum, father of the hostage Eitan Mor, said: “We call on the prime minister to withstand internal and external pressure and not surrender to Hamas. We will strengthen the prime minister and demand to continue the military pressure in order to return the abductees and ensure the security of the State of Israel.” 

Netanyahu supporters oppose a deal which would see IDF troops leave the Philadelphi Corridor, where multiple smuggling tunnels crossing into Egypt have been uncovered. Some of those tunnels were reportedly used to smuggle weapons and vehicles during the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion and attack on Israel. 

Shai Rosengarten, deputy chairman of Im Tirtzu, said: “You can't win without Philadelphi and Netzarim. It is impossible to win without our presence in the Gaza Strip, it is impossible to return all the hostages if we stop the war. Military pressure is proving itself. Hamas is in the planks, it's time to step up a gear, Prime Minister - the people demand that you continue the pressure, until victory.” 

According to a report from Israeli reporter Barak Ravid, Netanyahu held a discussion with the negotiating team regarding the hostage deal at noon on Sunday. It was expected to be the final meeting before he flies to Washington.