Hostage release causes controversy among Israel’s politicians, as Arab MKs praise release of both ‘hostages and prisoners’

The release of former hostages Emily Damari, Roni Gonen and Doron Steinbrecher on Sunday caused several controversies among Israel's politicians, despite near-unanimous jubilation across the country.

One controversy focused on comments by members of the radical leftist Hadash party, which has four seats in the Knesset, who drew equivalency between the Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7, and the convicted Palestinian terrorists whom Israel is releasing in exchange for them.

Knesset Member Ayman Odeh, the party’s leader, wrote on his 𝕏 account that he was “Happy about the release of the hostages and prisoners. From here we must free both peoples from the yoke of occupation. We were all born free,” Odeh wrote.

The comment drew sharp criticism, among others from Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Liberman. “Ayman Odeh proves once again that he is Hamas’ spokesman in the Knesset. Whoever compares our hostages to murderous terrorists should be thrown to Gaza with them,” Liberman commented.

Amit Segal, Channel 12’s popular political analyst, demanded the High Court finally implement a law that allows it to expel Knesset Members who openly support terrorism.

“It’s about time the High Court stops breaking the law. These things are support for terrorism. When you are happy about the release of those who murder babies, children, women, and innocent Israelis, you are a terror supporter,” Segal commented.

Segal also highlighted similar comments by Odeh’s party colleague Aida Touma-Sliman, who several days ago, responded to the ceasefire by saying, “This is a huge moment of relief for all of us – Palestinians and Israelis. But we want an end to the war and the full release of all hostages and prisoners.”

“The goal has to be an end to the war, full release of hostages and prisoners, the reconstruction of Gaza, and negotiations for a Palestinian state in Gaza and the West Bank,” Touma-Sliman wrote on 𝕏.

Another controversy was caused by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praising the release of the hostages, despite previously having publicly opposed the deal.

Following the successful release, Smotrich wrote on 𝕏: “Emily, Doron and Romi, welcome home! Our hearts go out to you, our dear sisters! An entire nation is proud of you, weeps with you, and embraces you endlessly!”

The statement attracted sharp criticism, particularly by left-wing politicians and groups who excoriated Smotrich for praising the outcome of a deal he had opposed.

“At the very least, don't tweet in the name of the people. Because this evening and in all the coming weeks, the people are really not with you,” wrote Gilad Kariv, MK in the left-wing The Democrats party.

“Like the evil son in the Passover Haggadah, you and your friends have excluded yourselves from the majority and have denied the most important things – the sanctity of life, the protection of life, and mutual responsibility,” added Kariv, who is the first rabbi of the Reform Judaism movement to serve in the Israeli parliament.

His party colleague MK Naama Lazimi even accused Smotrich of being responsible for the hostages’ captivity.

“Emily, Doron and Romi - Smotrich voted against your return home and tried to trade your return deal for not resigning from the government. My heart goes out to you and to your families as because of him and his group of extremists you were in captivity for so long,” Lazimi wrote.

The radical left-wing Peace Now group added that “If it were up to you [Smotrich], they [the hostages] would be buried under the settlements in Gaza.”

In response, Smotrich explained, “I oppose this deal with all my soul and believe it endangers the State of Israel. At the same time, I am filled with joy for every brother and sister who returns home from Hamas captivity, and like all the people of Israel, both supporters and opponents of the deal, I am very moved by the images of Romi, Doron, and Emily. Serious people need to embrace complexity.”

“This is my duty and mission as someone who represents a large public [of national-religious people] that sent its sons to the battlefield in Gaza for the sake of the hostages, and sacrificed their most precious in a completely disproportionate manner to their share in the nation, and opposes the deal.”

“One eye cries bitterly while the heart is happy,” Smotrich wrote.