The grief and anger that have permeated Israeli society since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas conflict reached a poignant climax this week when Elchanan Danino, father of fallen soldier Ori Danino, confronted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his son’s shiva. Elchanan blamed Netanyahu for the tunnel that allowed Hamas to take his son’s life, symbolizing the growing frustration among families of victims who demand accountability from their leadership.
Ori Danino, 25, was taken hostage by Hamas terrorists on October 7 from the Supernova music festival. Ori, having helped several festival-goers escape, returned to rescue more attendees when he was abducted by Hamas. For nearly a year, his family hoped for his safe return. Danino was held hostage by Hamas for 11 months and was killed by the terrorist group last week, along with five other hostages. Hamas killed them fearing an IDF operation, as troops were located nearby.
“You built the tunnel where my son was murdered during your tenure,” Elchanan told Netanyahu in a conversation aired on Kan Radio on Monday. His accusation pointed to what many in Israel see as a long-standing failure of leadership in confronting the threat posed by Hamas.
Hostage families express frustration with Israeli leadership
Elchanan’s confrontation with Netanyahu highlighted the deep frustration and despair felt by grieving and hostage families across Israel. “Forgive me, but you’ve been in power for many years. The concrete and the dollars entered during your time… You owe everyone’s lives,” he declared. His accusation went beyond the personal, framing Netanyahu’s lengthy tenure as one that enabled the conditions for Hamas to construct the tunnels used in their attacks.
The broadcast on Kan Radio captured not only Elchanan’s raw grief but also his plea for unity in a fractured nation. “We don’t deserve this land without unity,” he told Netanyahu. For Elchanan, the lack of cohesion within Israeli society – exacerbated by political division and bickering – was at the root of the country’s ongoing crisis.
Elchanan’s call for introspection extended beyond the political realm, urging Netanyahu to reflect on his values and leadership. “Close your office for ten minutes each day and reflect on where the Jewish values you represent are. Is G-d part of your picture? Where is the Jewish value you bring?” This plea underscored a growing sense of disillusionment with the current political establishment and its perceived detachment from the foundational values of Israel’s identity.
One of Ori’s brothers also voiced his anguish during the conversation, emphasizing the sanctity of life and the need for immediate action to bring other hostages home. “There’s no price on life – not on life, not on a proper Jewish burial. If it helps bring them home, please do it,” he implored. Like many families, the Daninos saw their son’s death as part of a broader failure of governance and a symbol of the price Israel has paid in its protracted conflict with Hamas.
Netanyahu responded by sharing his personal story of loss, mentioning his brother Yonatan Netanyahu, who died during the 1976 Entebbe raid. “When I was 22, I stormed a hijacked plane to rescue hostages, and I was wounded. Four years later, my older brother was killed. I understand what it means to lose a brother,” Netanyahu said.
“No, you don’t understand!” Ori’s brother shot back. “You built your career on your brother’s back! Enough already! I buried my brother!”
Elchanan also didn’t hesitate to address the broader failures of Netanyahu’s coalition government. His criticism wasn’t just about the death of his son, but also about a deeper issue that he saw as central to the current crisis: the long-standing empowerment of Hamas under Netanyahu’s leadership. “You armed them with swords, tunnels, and dollars. You did nothing,” Elchanan asserted, blaming the government’s decisions for allowing the militant group to grow into a more dangerous threat over the years. The political inaction, he argued, led to the very tragedy that claimed his son’s life.
The Prime Minister, visibly impacted by the confrontation, attempted to explain the complex security situation Israel faces, emphasizing that the country is “up against monsters,” referring to both Hamas and the broader threat of Iran. He also acknowledged the toll this war has taken on Israeli society, adding, “Your cries are familiar to me… There’s no day or night – it all hurts tremendously.” However, Elchanan’s focus remained on the failures of leadership and the pressing need for action and unity.
Throughout the exchange, Elchanan repeatedly returned to the theme of unity, urging Netanyahu to clean up Israeli politics and lead with true Jewish values. “You won’t have divine assistance unless you show true Jewish heart and values. You were chosen to lead the Jewish state in the Land of Israel that G-d bestowed upon us,” he said, pushing for a return to the core principles that have sustained the Jewish people throughout history.
As the conversation came to a close, Elchanan left the Prime Minister with a challenge: to rise above political games and focus on saving the nation. “If you had acted with the same Zionist passion you had at 22 and avoided 50 years of politics, you would’ve killed Hamas when they were small. You waited, they became a monster, and now we’re suffering the consequences.”
Netanyahu later stated in a recorded video message: “I hear the cry of the hostage families, and I do not judge them; I am doing everything I can to bring them home and win this war” The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in response, “If you had truly listened, they would be already home. A deal would prevent those heartbreaking meetings. The only way to win this war is to bring the hostages home.”