Israeli protesters accuse far-right minister Ben-Gvir of obstructing captives deal
Israeli protesters confronted far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir with his family in the village of Kiryat Malachi in central Israel, and accused him of being responsible for the deaths of captives held in Gaza due to his stance against a ceasefire deal.
During the small demonstration, protesters raised pictures of the captives and accused Ben-Gvir of obstructing deals to return those held in the enclave. In turn, the minister accused the protesters of dodging draft orders to join the army.
הבוקר בכפר מלל פעילים עקבו אחרי בן גביר עד לבית הכנסת בזמן קריאת שמות החטופים הוא לא התאפק ויצא החוצה כדי לקרוא להם משתמטים pic.twitter.com/H32hsQsxhw
— לירי בורק שביט (@lirishavit) August 23, 2025
Translation: This morning in Kiryat Malachi, activists followed Ben-Gvir to the synagogue during the reading of the hostages’ names. He couldn’t restrain himself and went outside to call them draft dodgers.
The Times of Israel reported that protesters intercepted Ben-Gvir and his son in Kfar Malal, chanting “shame” while holding up posters of captives still held in Gaza. The protesters accused Ben-Gvir of “leaving the captives to die”, calling him a “draft dodger” because he was barred from serving in the army during his youth because of far-right activities.
Ben-Gvir has long opposed making deals with Hamas for releasing the captives held in Gaza and has said he has personally blocked multiple agreements. He also left the government during the January-to-March ceasefire and captive-prisoner exchanges, returning only when Israeli military operations resumed.
Turkiye’s first lady urges Melania Trump to advocate for children in Gaza
Turkish first lady Emine Erdogan has urged US first lady Melania Trump to speak out for children suffering through Israel’s war in Gaza.
Praising Melania Trump’s advocacy for children in Ukraine, Erdogan, in a letter to the US first lady reported by Turkiye’s Daily Sabah newspaper, urged her to “extend the advocacy” to Palestinian children.
“The phrase ‘unknown baby’ written on the shrouds of thousands of Gazan children opens irreparable wounds in our consciences,” Erdogan said, noting that Gaza has become “a children’s cemetery”.
“Just as you defended the rights of Ukrainian children, I believe you will show the same sensitivity for the children of Gaza. We must unite our voices and strength against this injustice.”
