Randi Weingarten blames Netanyahu for Hamas hostage killings

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, sparked controversy by suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shares responsibility for the brutal killings of hostages by Hamas. This statement came shortly after the discovery of six hostages, including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who were found murdered in a Gaza Strip tunnel. Weingarten expressed her condolences to the families of the victims while criticizing Netanyahu for not pursuing a ceasefire or hostage release deal. Her comments were met with backlash, particularly from former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, who challenged her to provide details on any potential deals that Netanyahu may have rejected. Weingarten maintained her stance, accusing Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over the safety of the hostages and the state of Israel, a sentiment echoed by protests from thousands of Israelis against his leadership. The Israeli Defense Forces reported that Hamas had likely killed the hostages shortly before they were located. As of now, there are still American hostages believed to be alive in Gaza, while others are confirmed dead, with their remains held by Hamas. The situation remains dire, as Hamas initially took around 250 hostages during its violent attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths. President Biden also criticized Netanyahu for his handling of the hostage situation, which has further strained relations between the US and Israeli officials. In response, Netanyahu vowed to continue efforts to secure the release of hostages and promised to hold Hamas accountable for their actions, emphasizing the ongoing conflict and the complexities surrounding hostage negotiations.