Jonathan Dekel-Chen, whose son Sagui was captured by Hamas terrorists on Oct. 7, 2023, delivered a speech at an American Jewish Committee event in Washington, D.C., marking the one-year anniversary of Hamas’ invasion of Israel. He criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his handling of the hostage situation, stating that the soul of Israel cannot survive if the hostages do not come home.
Dekel-Chen highlighted the political clashes over the Netanyahu government’s attempts to weaken the judiciary as a contributing factor to the crisis of faith in the country. He condemned Netanyahu for his lack of genuine negotiation efforts and criticized his approach of holding press conferences and delivering inflammatory speeches instead of prioritizing the return of the hostages.
His speech at the event, which was unexpected by the American Jewish Committee, aimed to draw attention to the urgency of resolving the hostage situation and ending the crisis of faith in Israel. Dekel-Chen’s call for action against Netanyahu is part of a larger movement by Israeli opponents of the Prime Minister to garner support from major American Jewish organizations.
The ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release have faced obstacles, with the Biden administration attributing blame to Hamas for the impasse and criticizing Netanyahu for shifting positions during talks. Despite these challenges, Dekel-Chen’s plea for support from American Jewish organizations reflects the growing pressure on Netanyahu to prioritize the return of the hostages.
While some Jewish groups have refrained from openly criticizing Israeli security policies, there is a shift in the stance of certain organizations calling for a resolution to the hostage crisis. Dekel-Chen also advised J Street to reconsider their focus on a two-state solution, suggesting that it may not align with the current sentiments in Israeli society.
The speech by Dekel-Chen at the event underscores the importance of unity within the Jewish community and the need to address the humanitarian crisis affecting Israel. His impassioned plea for action resonated with the audience, highlighting the critical need for a resolution to the ongoing hostage situation in Gaza.
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