Hostage Survivor Yocheved Lifshitz Accuses Netanyahu of Inciting Against Her

Hostage survivor Yocheved Lifshitz on Monday accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of orchestrating a smear campaign against her, alleging he sent a loyalist to incite against her to distract from intelligence failures leading up to the October 7th Hamas attack. Lifshitz stated that Netanyahu "abandoned me on October 7th, abandoned my husband Oded and 45 other hostages who were kidnapped alive to die in captivity." She criticized Netanyahu's methods as divisive, aimed at creating rifts among victims' families, and declared she fears neither him nor his associates. Shortly after Lifshitz's statement, Likud candidate Itzik Bonzel, who had made sharp remarks against her, retracted his comments and apologized. Bonzel, whose son was killed in the war, explained that in his emotional distress, he wrote a sentence about Lifshitz in the context of Hamas that he did not intend and for which he now apologizes. The controversy began when Lifshitz criticized Netanyahu, claiming he was not responsible for the release of hostages. Bonzel responded by writing, "I wish there was a way to turn back time and return you to Hamas," calling her words an act of ingratitude. In response, National Unity Party chairman Gadi Eisenkot defended Lifshitz, calling her a "hero" and criticizing Netanyahu and Bonzel. Eisenkot stated that anyone who enlists someone who wishes a citizen to fall into Hamas's hands is unfit to lead or be elected. Democratic Party chairman Yair Golan also supported Lifshitz, calling her a "hero" and urging Netanyahu to apologize. Golan condemned Netanyahu for enlisting individuals who wish Lifshitz harm, concluding by telling Lifshitz that her resilience inspires strength and that "we are with you."