Rabbi stages hunger strike to advocate for hostages in Gaza
- A rabbi and another Israeli resident are staging a hunger strike in a cage in Jerusalem to highlight the plight of 50 hostages in Gaza.
- Rabbi Avidan Freedman has shifted his perspective on how to advocate for hostages since an incident in August where six hostages were executed.
- This demonstration reflects the need for increased awareness and immediate action regarding the welfare of the hostages and their families.
In Jerusalem, a rabbi and another Israeli resident have initiated a hunger strike by encaging themselves for 50 hours to symbolize the number of hostages currently held in Gaza. Rabbi Avidan Freedman, 45, from Efrat in the West Bank, along with Tzvika Novik from Galilee, began this demonstration outside the Knesset on July 7, 2025. This act of civil disobedience aims to bring attention to the desperate situation faced by the families of hostages, who have been waiting for their return for over 600 days since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on Israel. Freedman, who works as an educator and is deeply concerned about the fate of the hostages, stated that his motivation for the protest is driven by moral and Jewish responsibility. He emphasized the need for an immediate visit by the Red Cross to the hostages and the urgency of halting humanitarian aid to Gaza. His previous belief in military action becoming a solution changed after witnessing the execution of six hostages in late August by their captors when Israeli forces closed in. The rabbi noted the immense strain on families of the hostages, conveying their exhaustion after enduring prolonged uncertainty and despair. Alongside other activists, the protest aims to raise awareness about the plight of these families and advocate for a comprehensive deal that addresses all hostages currently held. Freedman believes that this action is essential, stating that simply holding more demonstrations without a striking statement would not suffice. As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu embarks on a trip lasting 50 hours, coinciding with the number of hostages, Freedman hoped that this timing would amplify the impact of their demonstration. The rabbi expressed his personal commitment to the cause by purposely choosing to spend this time inside the cage, emphasizing that this moment is crucial in the ongoing struggle to bring the hostages home and to highlight their final plight in this crisis.