As ceasefire deal tarries, Religious Zionism supporters hold rally calling for hostage return

On Saturday evening, during Motzei Shabbat [the period following sunset on Saturday evening], hundreds of people gathered at the First Station in Jerusalem for the "Hineni" rally, calling for a hostage release deal. 

Many of those present wore a kippah or head covering, and the evening was filled with prayers and songs alongside the calls for political action. 

Despite opposition to a hostage release ceasefire deal from Religious Zionism political party leader Bezalel Smotrich, many of the party supporters in attendance voiced their support for a deal, calling it a Zionist cause. 

Rabbi Mordechai Vardi of Kibbutz Rosh Tzurim in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc said, “We are in a historic time, a time of national trauma that must be turned to healing, but first, the hostages have to be returned home. We need an agreement that will bring everyone home.” 

Moshe Shapira, father of Aner Shapira, who was killed by Hamas terrorists while protecting friends on Oct. 7, 2023, said, “This is a Zionist choice. The voices of our brothers and sisters are crying out to us.” 

Shapira referred to the weekly Torah reading from the previous week Vayeshev, which tells of how Joseph was sold into captivity by his brothers. 

“‘And they saw him from a distance,’ it says in the weekly portion. This distance caused alienation between Joseph and his brothers,” Shapira explained. 

“One brother stood up, Reuben, and tried to save Joseph’s fate,” Shapira continued. “There are moments in a person’s or a nation’s life when fate must change.”

“Fourteen months ago, I eulogized my son Aner, my firstborn,” Shapira related. “Aner refused to give up the lives of those in the bomb shelter to the murderers and changed that moment. Now, society and the government have the ability to make this year a year of destiny. A decision for an all-encompassing deal to return all the kidnapped is a moral, Zionist, Jewish, and religious decision. The voices of our brothers and sisters are crying out to us. This is the time to listen, this is the time to act.” 

John Goldberg-Polin, the father of Hersch, who was killed in Gaza in August, also referred to the Torah cycle. 

"This important gathering is taking place just as we have moved from the 'Vayeshev' portion to the 'Miketz' portion, a transition with symbolism,” Goldberg-Polin said. “The 'Vayeshev' portion ends with Joseph’s despair, in a sad verse which says, 'And the chief butler did not remember Joseph and forgot him.' These are some of the saddest words.” 

The next portion, Miketz, tells of the reconciliation and restoration between Joseph and his brothers in Egypt after Joseph had been carried away to Egypt as a slave and imprisoned there. 

“However, already in 'Miketz,' Joseph becomes the most influential person in the world,” Goldberg-Polin stated. “Sometimes the transition from the deepest depths to freedom, and even joy, can happen when we move from week to week, from portion to portion. Tonight, 100 of our brothers are living in the depths of despair. Our blessing is that by the time we reach 'Miketz' Shabbat, all the brothers will be redeemed, just as happened to Joseph.” 

Goldberg-Polin also urged those in attendance to speak to their political representatives and encourage them to agree to a deal. 

“To those supporting the deal, there is a disconnect between you and the political leaders representing you,” he stated. “Be with your leaders, let them hear from you that you support the deal. We are strong enough to make the deal.” 

Orthodox Jewish musician Aharon Razel performed during the evening, leading the crowd in singing “My Brothers,” one of his songs based on the text of Genesis 37:16, “I am seeking my brothers, where are they shepherding?” 

Niva Vankrat, mother of hostage Omar, pleaded with the crowd: “My brothers and sisters, I am asking for my son. My Omar, my firstborn – it is only natural to ask for him.” 

“We must not abandon them, because then we will be a fragmented society. We must not sacrifice lives,” she urged. “Go out, as you did today in the cold of Jerusalem, to give support to the Israeli government, to bring our brothers home. I ask for my son, alive! Alive, I ask! Because he is alive! We must not leave behind the soldiers and the young men, nor those who are no longer with us.” 

After a malfunction led to a brief period of darkness in the event hall, Vankrat said, “Liam Or, who was with Omar in captivity, said that one of the hardest things they faced was the darkness. They were in tunnels, in the darkness of Egypt, to the point that they had to touch their own eyelids to make sure their eyes were actually open.” 

Religious Zionism party leader Bezalel Smotrich, who has opposed the hostage deal, said it “does not serve the goals and interests of the State of Israel in the war – nor does it serve the return of the kidnapped, because, in the end, it’s a partial deal.” 

While there have been several news reports suggesting a deal could be close, several Israeli officials recently said that there are still gaps in the positions, including issues like a continued IDF presence in Gaza during the ceasefire and the Hamas demand that the ceasefire be permanent.