Likud Candidate Tells Hamas Hostage Survivor: 'Wish I Could Return You to Hamas'

Itzik Bonzel, a bereaved father who is ranked 29th on the Likud party's Knesset list, posted on Facebook a message directed at Yocheved Lifshitz, a former Hamas hostage. In the post, Bonzel wrote, "I have never written in this style, but I wish there was a way to turn back the clock and return you to Hamas."

Bonzel's remarks appear to be a response to recent comments made by Lifshitz in an interview with Channel 13. During the interview, Lifshitz stated, "Bibi [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] did not bring back any hostages, Miri Adelson bought us from Trump. If this government remains after the elections, it is a disaster for the country."

Lifshitz, who was released by Hamas in November 2023 along with her husband, has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government's handling of the hostage crisis and the ongoing war. Bonzel, whose son was killed in the October 7th Hamas attacks, is running for a seat in the Israeli parliament.