Likud Candidate Apologizes for Wishing Hostage Returned to Hamas

Itzik Bonzel, a candidate for the Likud party in upcoming legislative elections, has apologized after sparking controversy with remarks suggesting an 88-year-old former Hamas hostage, Yocheved Lifshitz, should be "returned" to the terrorist group. Bonzel, whose son was killed in the Gaza war, is ranked 29th on the Likud list. His comments came in response to an interview where Lifshitz, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7, 2023, and later released, heavily criticized the government. Lifshitz stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had not brought back any hostages and warned of catastrophe if the current government remained in power. She also mentioned being "bought" by Miriam Adelson from Trump, a comment Bonzel interpreted as ungrateful.

In a Facebook post, Bonzel accused Lifshitz of ingratitude towards fallen Israeli soldiers, implying that hundreds of fighters risked their lives for hostages and that she did not deserve their sacrifice. He later retracted his statement, explaining he reacted emotionally to what he perceived as humiliating remarks about soldiers. He apologized, stating he did not mean his words about Lifshitz and Hamas and had written them in a "storm of emotions."

Lifshitz, whose husband Oded died in captivity, responded by accusing Prime Minister Netanyahu of sending Bonzel to attack her. She suggested this was a tactic to distract from reports of potential warnings Netanyahu received before the October 7 attacks. Lifshitz also accused Netanyahu of abandoning her, her husband, and other hostages. Opposition figures, including Yaïr Golan and Efrat Rayten, condemned Bonzel's remarks, with Golan calling Lifshitz a "hero" and Rayten deeming his comments morally unacceptable for public office.