Israel Opposition Leader Supports Strike in Solidarity with Gaza Hostages

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has expressed his full support for calls to hold a general strike this Sunday in solidarity with hostages still held in Gaza.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Lapid urged all Israelis — regardless of political affiliation — to participate, emphasising that the move was not politically motivated:

“Strike out of solidarity. Strike because the families have asked, and that’s reason enough. Strike because no one has a monopoly on emotion, on mutual responsibility, on Jewish values.”

Sunday marks the first working day of the week in Israel.

Background of the Strike Call

• The initial call for a strike came on Sunday from approximately 20 parents of hostages still in Gaza.
• On Monday, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum — the main representative body for relatives — endorsed the initiative.
• The Forum appealed to Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union federation, to formally join the strike.
• Histadrut declined, but expressed support for “workers’ solidarity demonstrations” instead.

Forum’s Statement

The Forum issued a passionate public appeal:

“Allow a citizens’ strike, from the grassroots to the top. Allow everyone to take a day off on Sunday to follow the dictates of their conscience. The moment has come to act, to take to the streets. 675 days of captivity and war must end.”

It accused the government of abandoning the remaining hostages in favour of “an endless, aimless war.”

Hostage Situation Overview

In early August 2025, Hamas and Islamic Jihad released videos showing two hostages in visibly emaciated condition.

War Context and Casualty Figures

Last week, Israel’s security cabinet approved plans to expand operations into remaining Gaza areas not yet under military control, raising fears of further hostage deaths.