Bereaved Families and Hostage Relatives Urge Accountability as Polling Opens
Families of terror victims and freed hostages began Election Day with a moment of silence at Tel Aviv's Hostages Square, urging citizens to vote for accountability and a state inquiry.
At 06:29 on Tuesday—marking the exact hour of the October 7 Hamas onslaught nearly three years ago—bereaved families, returned hostages, and survivors gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv for a moment of silence. As polling stations opened at 07:00 across Israel, family members of victims and captives arrived at voting centers to urge citizens to cast their ballots with the memory of the tragedy in mind.
Einav Tsangauker, whose son Matan endured 738 days in captivity before returning home, called on voters to demand accountability at the ballot box. "My Matan returned thanks to the IDF soldiers and the people of Israel who took to the streets, but Matan and all the hostages could have been rescued much earlier," she said. "Too many paid with their lives for this terrible failure and abandonment. Remember them at the ballot box today; vote so that such a disaster never happens again."
Call for a State Commission of Inquiry
Families across the board stressed the urgent necessity of establishing an official state commission of inquiry to investigate the systemic failures of October 7. Eyal Eshel, whose daughter Roni Eshel served as an IDF spotter and fell at the Nahal Oz base, addressed voters directly. "My Roni was the eyes of the nation," he said. "She identified the terrorists, reported them, and fulfilled her duty to the very last moment. The state was supposed to protect her and failed. When you enter the polling booth today, vote for the truth, for responsibility, and for a state commission of inquiry."
Hagit and Rubi Chen, whose son Staff Sgt. Itay Chen fell defending the Nahal Oz outpost and whose remains were returned after 760 days, echoed the sentiment. "Itay will not vote today," they stated. "For 760 days we fought to bring him home, and we promised him we would do everything to uncover the truth. Behind the privacy curtain, remember those who will no longer vote, and choose those who commit to establishing a state commission of inquiry."
The Legacy of the Fallen and Survivors' Appeal
Shelly Meshul Yogav, mother of Libi Cohen Maguri who was murdered at the Nova music festival, urged voters to carry the memory of the victims into the polling stations. "Today as Libi's mother, I will enter the polling booth with real fear," she said through tears. "The hope for change is all I have left. Please take Libi with you to the ballot box." Michal Iluz, father of Guy Iluz who was abducted alive from the festival and murdered in captivity, added that he longs to live in a country that takes responsibility for its citizens, learns from disaster, and pursues the truth.
The gathering follows a public appeal issued by the October Council, signed by 700 survivors, bereaved family members, and massacre survivors, urging the public to vote according to their conscience for a nation that assumes responsibility and investigates its failures.
