Amidst the ongoing conflict in Israel, a Tel Aviv resident, Lior Perry, has spoken out about his father being held hostage by Hamas and his hopes for his release. While the domestic pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu is increasing after the accidental shooting of three Israeli hostages by Israeli forces, Perry remains skeptical about any potential shift in the government's approach to hostage release.
Perry reflected on past instances where increased pressure on the Israeli government has not effectively led to change. According to him, the international pressure may be more instrumental in convincing the Israeli government to act decisively. More recently, discussions on Israel's next phase of the war and ongoing dialogues with Qatar have fueled speculation concerning hostage release. However, Perry remains unconvinced that such efforts fundamentally alter Netanyahu's priorities.
Perry suggests that Netanyahu's focus on the war outweighs his interest in the safe return of the hostages. The structure of the Israeli society, as Perry describes it, may be contributing to this perspective where more value is placed on the dead than the living. Despite the mounting pressure on Netanyahu, Perry senses a lack of genuine empathy towards the families of hostages and the hostages themselves.
Asked about the likelihood of the Prime Minister ensuring the release of all hostages, Perry questions the government's capacity for change without external pressure. According to Perry, Netanyahu's decision-making remains rooted in a traditional 'brute force' strategy. Perry critiques this strategy as inherently problematic and unsuccessfully applied over the years. Even as Perry acknowledges his inability to influence the decision makers, he bemoans their perceived unwillingness to change their ways in face of recurring failures.
Given the opportunity, Perry would urge the Prime Minister to prioritize the value of life. He suggests making an unrefusable offer to Hamas and making it a public declaration. By spelling out their war goals and showcasing intentions of saving life, Perry believes that Israel can gain worldwide understanding. Failing an acceptance from Hamas to such an offer, Perry argues, might provide Israel the legitimacy to continue its war. Meanwhile, Perry waits hopefully for the release of his father and the other hostages.
