New cabinet exacerbating issue of racism in Israeli occupation: media

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Israeli media on Tuesday shone the light on "discrimination in the Israeli occupation," especially when it came to the Israeli detained by Hamas' military wing Al-Qassam Brigades, Avera Mengistu.

"Had Avera Mengistu not come from a poor family and a different race, [the government's] pressure would have been far greater, and the public opinion would not have taken it easy on the government," Israeli media said.

"We must acknowledge racial discrimination and understand this. What got us here is certainly public opinion," Israeli Channel 13 political affairs commentator Avishay Ben Haim said.

"Had public opinion cared about this young man [...] and sympathized with him, there wouldn't be this lenient when it came to the Israeli government['s carelessness]," he added.

"Hamas, through publishing that video about Avera Mengistu yesterday, wanted to pressure public opinion, especially in light of the new government, and that is because they acknowledge that this doesn't only affect the families of soldiers, but also those of civilians," Israeli Channel 13 Israeli affairs analyst Moriah Asraf Wahlberg noted.

"Hamas had several months ago published a picture of soldier Hadar Goldin's weapon in order to also influence Israeli public opinion," she added.

Furthermore, the Israeli journalist dressed that Hamas was requesting "the release of saboteurs and murderers from when Bennett was still in office, and Bennett said that would not happen, though he said he would be ready to cooperate when it came to other prisoners."

"Lapid was also not ready to free the killers. Therefore, Netanyahu must formulate his policy toward them. But, as it appears now, the government is not heading toward a prisoner swap deal," she explained.

Mengistus' video brought back to the forefront the issue of a prisoner swap deal for the new Israeli government, and it piqued the interest of officials in the military and security establishments, with various officials calling for the appointment of a coordinator for prisoners and missing persons' affairs in the prime minister's office to succeed Yaron Blum, as the position has been vacant for more than two months.