Father of Israeli hostage condemns Netanyahu, says ‘he was responsible’ for October 7

Hamas has been holding his son Nimrod captive in Gaza for nearly a year. But Yehuda Cohen wants Americans to know that he holds Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for it.

Cohen, who has been protesting against Netanyahu since his Likud-led government failed to prevent the October 7 terror attacks in which his son and hundreds of others were taken by the Palestinian militant group, has travelled to Washington DC to be present as the Israeli leader receives a hero’s welcome before the Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Netanyahu’s visit comes as Biden administration officials are continuing efforts to encourage the Israeli government and Hamas to reach a deal that would bring home the estimated 116 hostages thought to be still in captivity.

According to the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Netanyahu’s government has been a significant obstacle to a deal that would have brought hostages home, with the prime minster reportedly intervening to “repeatedly torpedo” the talks because a deal would lead to his government’s collapse.

In an interview with The Independent ahead of the Israeli leader’s address to Congress, Cohen said Netanyahu has no regard for the lives of hostages like his son, an Israeli soldier who was captured — on video — after his tank’s brakes failed during the October 7 attack.

Cohen said that the prime minister, in his view, is responsible for both the attack itself and the failure to end the war and bring the hostages home. Netanyahu’s aim has been to remain in power regardless of the impact on the country, Cohen believes.

“He was responsible for the events. And he is now responsible for not ending it or not going for a deal for total release of all the hostages along with the ceasefire,