Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian Ministry of Health: Two were martyred in Israeli shelling that targeted a besieged house in the town of Qabatiya in Jenin
At least 68 dead in migrant shipwreck off Yemen: IOM
Trump: We want to feed the people in Gaza, we do not want them to starve.
US President Donald Trump: We will impose sanctions on Russia if it does not end the war on Ukraine.
Israeli media: Polls show that 52% oppose Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu while only 29% support him.
Israeli media: 32% of Americans still support "Israel's" war on Hamas, while 60% oppose it.
Israeli media: Core US support for "Israel" hits its lowest, while support for Palestine reaches its highest levels.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent reports martyrs, injuries in Israeli bombardment of home in Heker al-Jame area in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza.
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children

Netanyahu lost 'moral compass', if any, 'long ago': Captive's father

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media
  • 2 Sep 2024 12:10
7 Min Read

The father of an Israeli captive held in Gaza slams the Israeli government's handling of the captives crisis as "abominable".

  • x
  • Israeli settlers protest outside the prime minister’s office in occupied al-Quds. (AFP)
    Israeli settlers protest outside the prime minister’s office in occupied al-Quds. (AFP)

Jonathan Dekel-Chen, father of Israeli captive Sagui Dekel-Chen, slammed the Israeli government's handling of the captives issue as "abominable" and affirmed it "has taken Israeli society to a place that it's never been, and the only hope for recovery is if the prime minister is able to grow a moral backbone strong enough to bear the weight of his own coalition partners."

Speaking on the Haaretz podcast, he said that the fact that US President Joe Biden extended his condolences to the families before Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu should serve as evidence to both Israelis and Jews living abroad that the current Israeli government and its leader are "in a state of utter moral corruption."

If Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "ever had a moral compass, he lost it long ago," Dekel-Chen asserted.

On the podcast, Haaretz senior analyst Amos Harel argued that the recent death of captives has revealed to the Israeli public that Netanyahu's belief in military pressure as the sole means to secure captives' release is flawed. 

"The outcome is clear to everybody: If in these operations, especially tunnels, we lose the element of surprise, there's a good chance more hostages will die under similar circumstances," he stressed.

Netanyahu's reaction to the widespread public outcry on Sunday has led Harel to conclude that the usually confident official is now in a "tight spot". Although Harel is skeptical that Netanyahu will alter his policies as a result, he noted, "I think that for the first time in months, he's really fearing the outcome of the public outcry."

Dive deeper

A video released on Sunday by the al-Qassam Brigades accused the Israeli occupation forces of deliberately killing captives before returning their bodies, confirming rumors that these captives were supposed to be released in the first stage of the prisoner exchange deal being discussed during the mediated ceasefire talks.

The video also responded to a recent statement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said, "If I had to choose between Philadelphi and retrieving the prisoners, I would choose Philadelphi." The video ended with footage of Israeli airstrikes on various locations in Gaza, images of the dead captives, and the statement, "Netanyahu chose the Philadelphi Corridor over the liberation of your captives."

The Israeli occupation forces announced Sunday that they had found the bodies of six Israeli captives in a tunnel in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. Among the deceased is Israeli-American soldier Hirsch Goldberg-Polin. 

Why it matters

A one-day labor strike has commenced in "Israel", following the main labor union's declaration Sunday in response to the failure of the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to secure the release of captives held in the Gaza Strip through a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

The strike was called for by the Histadrut labor union to pressure the Israeli government into finalizing a prisoner exchange agreement with the Hamas movement in Gaza after the Israeli military announced the discovery of the bodies of six captives in a tunnel in the city of Rafah, in southern Gaza Strip.

The strike, which affects schools, universities, Ben Gurion Airport, public transportation, and a wide range of economic sectors, follows massive demonstrations staged by Israeli settlers demanding the retrieval of the captives.

Related News

'Israel' closes 88% of war crimes cases without charges: Watchdog

Palestinians are being massacred by US-German weapons: Iran's Baghaei

Among the facilities participating in the strike are municipalities, including Tel Aviv and Haifa, government ministries that impact a range of public services, including parts of the Prime Minister’s Office, the Interior Ministry, and others, and "Israel’s" biggest universities, including the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv University, according to Histadrut.

While the Israeli teachers’ union said it would not join the strike, the school support staff would, which may impact educational institutions.

Ben Gurion in lockdown

According to the Israeli Channel 13, Ben Gurion Airport is closed to departing flights, with operations expected to resume after several hours, and flights are expected to be dramatically affected in the coming days.

The airport was supposed to be closed for two hours starting at 8:00 am, however, it may be extended past 10 am despite intense pressure from the government to resume operations, unnamed airport officials tell Channel 12 news.

Currently, flights are not departing the airport, and checked baggage is not being put on planes.

Banks disrupted

Bloomberg reported that several major banks in "Israel" were anticipated to close, though the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange is expected to remain open. Government ministries, local municipalities, postal services, and universities are also slated to shut down.

Meanwhile, the Attorney General of "Israel" petitioned the Labor Court to rule against the strike declared by Histadrut chairman Arnon Bar-David, Israeli media reported.

The petition requests the court decide that the strike is not one "for a collective labor dispute, and is, therefore, a political strike."

However, Israeli media cited a source within the Histadrut as saying that the union is considering extending the strike into Tuesday as well.

Roads blocked

The Times of Israel said that dozens of protesters are blocking Ibn Gvirol Street in Tel Aviv, while others are blocking a road in the northern city of Rosh Pina. In addition, protesters are also gathering at Shilat Junction near Modi’in.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid had called on labor unions, employers, and local authorities within the Israeli occupation to disrupt the economy. He also petitioned the Knesset Speaker to hold an emergency general meeting to discuss reaching an agreement regarding Gaza.

On Sunday, protests erupted in the streets of Tel Aviv and occupied al-Quds, with observers estimating that approximately 280,000 people demonstrated in Tel Aviv alone, despite repeated attempts by Israeli police to disperse the crowds, which only grew larger as they reassembled.

The protesters are demanding that the Israeli government abandon its position on maintaining military control over the Philadelphi and Nitzarim corridors and return to negotiations that might secure the return of the captives alive from Gaza. They argue that the ongoing war has resulted in the deaths of many of the captives.

The Israeli Channel 12 said that 15 protesters were arrested.

On Saturday, US President Joe Biden expressed optimism, stating that he believed, "we're on the verge of having an agreement." However, the most recent talks, held in Cairo last weekend, ended without a conclusive outcome.

Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are scheduled to meet on Monday morning with the US team working to mediate a hostage deal, as confirmed by the White House.

According to The Washington Post, the US has been in discussions with Egypt and Qatar regarding the framework of a final "take it or leave it" proposal to be presented to "Israel" and Hamas, citing a senior administration official who requested anonymity.

Read more: Knesset member injured as police throw stun grenades at protesters

  • war on Gaza
  • Palestine
  • strike in Israel
  • Israeli aggression
  • Benjamin Netanyahu
  • Israeli occupation
  • Ceasefire in Gaza
  • Gaza
  • Israeli captives
War on Gaza

War on Gaza

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
A member of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, takes part in a parade as he celebrates a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and the Israeli regime in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Sunday, January 19, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam: We’ll allow aid to Israeli captives if Gaza siege ends

Freed Lebanese freedom fighter Georges Abdallah during an interview on Al Mayadeen, which aired on Sunday, August 3, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)
Politics

Exclusive: Resistance key to building state, Georges Abdallah says

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres gives a statement about the situation in Gaza at UN headquarters, Friday, June 27, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN warns Gaza faces water crisis, looming famine under Israeli siege

Israeli soldiers drive their armored personnel carrier along the Gaza Strip, in southern occupied Palestine, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ex-Israeli general says Gaza starvation campaign isolated 'Israel'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS