Principled Demand Document - Families of the Hostages

Background

As citizens of the democratic State of Israel, we are entitled by law and fundamental principle to the protection of life, body, dignity, and personal liberty of every individual from Israel.

On Saturday, 7.10.23, the day of Simchat Torah, these rights were completely violated. Meanwhile, the entire security system failed in an unprecedented manner since the establishment of the state.

We, the families of the hostages, do not need to apologize! We did not fail! We fulfilled our duty to society and the state for years. However, the calamity that befell us stemmed from fundamental and technical failures in the security systems that had been warned for years about such and other threats.

Therefore, we hold the Government of Israel and the entire security system responsible for this case, and first and foremost request recognition:of the failure. To possess humility, submission, and lowliness of spirit. And complete solidarity with the families of the hostages.

We understand that in light of such a severe failure, a step back must be taken, to protect and preserve what exists! This is out of recognition that we lost this battle. Only thus can we see clearly, rise, protect what exists, and build. Just as happened after the Holocaust, when the Jewish people were defeated by the Nazi oppressors. The Jewish people rose on their land and built a glorious state alongside the German state that arose on the ruins of the Nazi regime. Why? Because we are a people who desire life!

Therefore, we say: this is not the time for victory or revenge! Hamas threatens Israel and has maintained a firm rule for many years without significant action against it. But now, when our sons and daughters, our grandfathers and grandmothers, our brothers and sisters, our cousins, are in captivity, does the Government of Israel seek to hold them accountable while the lives of our loved ones hang in the balance??? This is absolutely unacceptable!!!

On the table, Hamas leaders have proposed a ceasefire in exchange for the return of the hostages in one form or another, which does not concern us at all. The main thing is that they return home!

Demands

1. Immediate ceasefire! Without delay, without procrastination. To enable negotiation and the return of the hostages.
   *It must be understood that this demand is not political! It is a demand of compelling reality! For this is the only way to return the hostages. Continuing the war will only prolong their suffering and will not help at all in their return. Past testimonies will attest that there is no military solution to bring them back safely.
2. The return of the hostages!
   Even at the cost of hundreds or thousands of terrorists whom the security systems will strive to imprison, it is not the fault of the citizens who were kidnapped and killed; the failure lies with the security system, and it is the one that must pay the price.

Courses of action

1. Consolidation of families supporting the above demands.
   Talk with families on the subject; if they agree, include them in the group.
   A WhatsApp group; after a significant number of families join, we will hold a meeting to discuss further action.
2. A press conference and declaration of the demand with a clear and sharp message:"Ceasefire" ← "Negotiation".
   Saying "Release the hostages" is stating the obvious, without presenting a framework or solution. People can only express solidarity without demanding what you demand and understanding the course of action.
3. Interviews with media outlets from Israel and the world with the above demands. To start: "Immediate ceasefire"
4. We must strive for a clear-eyed view of reality, find solutions, and not place our trust in"promises" or"secondary goals, as part of the war." This must be the supreme goal of the State of Israel, which was established on the basis of its promise to be a home and protection for the Jewish people in their land. Which, regrettably, it has breached through its negligence.
5. Even if we are in the minority opinion, we are not required to consider the majority opinion. This isthe first and only duty we have towards our hostage family members.