142 Thousand Sign Petition in Israel to Release Gaza Prisoners
The movement in Israel to stop attacks on Gaza in exchange for the release of prisoners is gaining momentum, according to data gathered by the “Restart Israel” website. So far, 141,874 people have supported the demand for the return of prisoners through peaceful means.
Among those showing support are 11,000 reserve and retired soldiers from various units of the Israeli army, as well as military parents, academics, teachers, lawyers, doctors, high-tech employees, writers, and artists. The number of signatures on the support papers has increased by nearly 20,000 since April 18, reaching close to 142,000.
A significant development in this movement is the statement issued by almost 1,000 retired pilots and reserve soldiers from the Israeli Air Force, calling for the cessation of attacks on Gaza in exchange for a captive exchange agreement. This statement was signed by high-ranking officials such as Chief of General Staff Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Tomer Bar, despite facing expulsion from the army for their stance.
Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, along with 1525 soldiers and former army commanders, have also voiced their support for the calls to end the attacks on Gaza and bring the prisoners back home. However, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has dismissed these efforts as a “handful of wild grass” and accused those involved of attempting to overthrow the coalition government.
The push to halt the attacks on Gaza and prioritize a peaceful resolution for the return of prisoners continues to grow within Israel, with individuals from various backgrounds coming together to advocate for this cause.
