Father of Fallen Israeli Soldier Criticizes Leaders Over Hamas Kidnapping and Murder

Nearly two years after his son, Staff Sergeant Uri Danino, was kidnapped from a party and later killed in Hamas captivity, Rabbi Elchanan Danino spoke out about his painful loss and harshly criticized Israeli public officials. Uri was abducted on October 7, 2023, during a deadly attack and survived 11 months in Hamas captivity before being murdered in August 2024. Since then, Rabbi Danino has become a prominent voice for families of hostages.

In a recent interview on the program "Intimi" with Rafi Reshef, Rabbi Danino recounted a tense exchange with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after Uri’s death. During Netanyahu’s condolence visit, Rabbi Danino confronted him, saying, "It all happened on your watch, my son was killed in a tunnel you built." He described Netanyahu’s reaction as visibly shaken, with his face changing colors and trembling. Rabbi Danino said he felt the prime minister was losing control but added he has no expectation for further communication, urging Netanyahu simply to act in the remaining time he has.

Rabbi Danino also revealed meetings with other political figures, including Shas leader Aryeh Deri and former minister Ron Dermer. He described Deri as unresponsive despite warnings from security officials and recalled a disturbing encounter with Dermer, who he said was rude and dismissive during negotiations for the hostages’ release. Rabbi Danino expressed deep disappointment in the political leadership’s handling of the crisis and their failure to adequately support families like his.

The interview highlights the ongoing anguish and frustration felt by families of victims of the October 7 attacks and the broader Israeli public regarding government accountability and response to the Hamas terror attacks and hostage situation.