Israeli captives' relatives detained in US over protest during Netanyahu speech
The relatives, who stood in the gallery wearing yellow shirts bearing the words "Seal the deal NOW", are now due for a US court hearing in mid-August.
2 min read
The captives' relatives wore tee shirts urging Netanyahu to accept a deal to release their loved ones [Getty]
Six family members of Israeli captives were detained by US authorities on Thursday for protesting during Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to the US Congress, Israel's Channel 12 news reported.
The relatives, who stood in the gallery wearing yellow shirts bearing the words "Seal the deal NOW", are now due for a US court hearing in mid-August.
Israel's embassy in Washington is intervening in the matter, according to Channel 12.
The six were identified as Michael Levy, Alon Gat, Gil Dickman, Carmit Palty Katzir, Leat Corrine, and Shahar Mor. Among the group are bereaved relatives and those related to captives thought to still be alive in Gaza, according to reports.
Ahead of Netanyahu's 24 July address to Congress, US House Speaker Mike Johnson warned lawmakers that those who attempted to disrupt the speech would be arrested.
A day before the Wednesday address, police arrested around 200 Jewish activists for protesting against US military support for Israel and calling for a Gaza ceasefire on Capitol Hill in Washington DC.
Despite receiving a bi-partisan welcome at Congress on Wednesday, Netanyahu has been a divisive figure in Israel who has clashed publicly with the families of Gaza captives during the course of the 10-month war.
Relatives of Israeli captives have urged their government to accept a ceasefire deal to bring their family members home while Netanyahu has pressed on with the war, which has killed 39,175 Palestinians, as well as some of the captives.
As Netanyahu gave his speech on Wednesday, protests also took place in Tel Aviv, where anti-government protesters and captives' families demanded their government secure a deal.
"I want to tell you my Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, my grandfather could have been alive today with us, he was waiting for someone to come and save him," Talya Dancyg, granddaughter of deceased captive Alex Dancyg, told the gathering.
"He was waiting for you to seal the deal," she added, speaking just two days after the announcement of her grandfather's death.
