(haipo) – Over a week ago, Hamas released two videos of kidnapped Eviatar David and Rom Breslavsky, who appear starved and very reminiscent of scenes they never imagined we would see again of Holocaust survivors. The reactions to the videos were very harsh and many began to think that there must be a deal now or there would be no one left to save. As a result, the families of the kidnapped declared a national strike day, which will take place today, Sunday, 17/08/2025, and will include roadblocks, protest rallies, business closures and a call for the general public not to come to work.
Link to a separate page with reports from the field
Call for a general strike: "We won't go to work - we'll take to the streets"
Anat, the mother of Matan Engerst, the soldier kidnapped from Kiryat Bialik, went to the media with an emotional plea: not to come to work on Sunday and join the protest of the families of the kidnapped. This call received broad support from labor organizations, local authorities, employers and the Histadrut, which announced that it would allow workers to take part in the strike without a loss of pay.
The families issued a joint statement with the October Council, which stated: "The strike is a legal move, which has widespread support. Anyone whose employer is not participating will be able to take a day off or sick leave and join on their own initiative. Another course of action is to reduce personal consumption – not shopping, not sitting in cafes. This is our way of supporting those who pay a financial price to raise the families' cry."
Roadblocks in Haifa and the surrounding area: Protest convoys throughout the day
The protest will include blockades of major roads throughout the country and throughout Haifa and the north. Starting at 7:00 AM and ending at 10:00 AM, major intersections will be blocked:
- Haifa, Matam – Departure for the convoy at 07:30
- Dado Beach – Departure for the convoy at 07:30
- Kikar Sefer – Morning shift at 07:30
- Yagur Junction – Blockade at 08:00 AM
- Binyamina, Barnitsky Junction – Blockage at 08:30 AM
- Zebulun, Regional Council – Departure for the convoy at 09:00
- Kiryat Tivon – Blockade at 09:30 AM
- Haifa City Hall Square – Rally at 10:00 AM
- Grand Canyon – Protest at 10:00 AM
- Ziv Square – protest at 16:00 PM
- Nahalal Intersection – Blockade at 17:00 PM
- Kiryat Tivon – additional blockade at 17:00 PM
At 16:00 PM, convoys from all over the country are expected to depart towards Savidor train station in Tel Aviv, where a central rally will be held.
Protest activities throughout Haifa: rallies, vigils, and student protests
During the day, many activities will take place throughout the city of Haifa:
- 07:30 – Morning shift at Sefer Square
- 10:00 – Grand Canyon protest
- 10:00 – Rally of the families of the kidnapped in cooperation with the Haifa Municipality at the municipality square
- 16:00 – Protest at Ziv Square together with the student protest
- 17:00 PM – Permanent protest at Sefer Square
- Kiryat Bialik – Tzabar Junction at 09:30
The activities are intended to raise public awareness and call on the government to act to return the abductees.
Children's programs: Summer camps are over, pressure will increase in September
The protest is taking place on 17/08/25, when most summer camps have already ended and many residents are on vacation. However, if the protest continues beyond 01/09, when the education system is supposed to resume operations, a different kind of pressure is expected. The absence of teachers and kindergarten teachers could disrupt the start of the school year and increase public pressure.
Public institutions: Haifa Municipality joins the protest
Universities
University, Technion, and municipal employees were informed that they could take a day off and join the protest. Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav and his five deputies announced that they would not work on the day of the protest and would take an active part in the demonstrations. This decision reflects the broad support for the protest from local authorities, and sends a clear message to the government: the demand for the return of the abductees is not a political issue but a human one.
Public transportation: Trains are canceled, buses may be delayed
Regardless of the protest, the train from Haifa to Ben Gurion Airport is suspended due to an ongoing malfunction. Buses will operate as usual, but are expected to encounter numerous roadblocks, which could significantly extend travel time. In addition, a number of drivers may not show up for work, which will cause further disruptions. The public is asked to stay updated in real time and plan their trips accordingly.
Shopping malls and businesses: Call to reduce personal consumption
The leaders of the struggle asked the public to reduce personal consumption on the day of the protest – not to make purchases, not to sit in cafes and restaurants. The goal is to stop the "good life" for one day, and to identify with the kidnapped and their families.
No blanket order was given to store owners, but many are expected to close their businesses out of solidarity. This is a symbolic but significant step, illustrating the economic impact of the protest.
Hospitals and health insurance funds: partial activity depending on absences
Hospitals and health insurance companies are not closed, but many employees are expected to take days off to participate in the protest. The public is asked to check in advance whether appointments are running as usual and whether medical services are available. The participation of medical professionals in the protest highlights the broad scope of public support for the demand for the return of the kidnapped.
High-tech companies: Some join the protest, others allow freedom
Several high-tech companies in the Haifa area have announced that they are officially joining the protest. Others are allowing employees to take a day off and participate in the initiative in person. This is a key sector in the economy, and joining the protest may also affect public perception of the struggle.
Some companies in Haifa allow employees to go out to protest without reporting a day off, meaning protesting on a work day.
Cross-Sector Protest: Neither Right nor Left – Only Straight
The parents of the abductees emphasize again and again: The return of the abductees is not a political issue. “It’s neither left nor right – it’s straight,” they say. However, the abductees’ demonstrations mostly include participants from the left and center, while the right-wing parties claim that this is an attempt to overthrow Netanyahu’s government. The parents claim that an injustice is being done to the abductees when their return is linked to a political agenda. They ask the public to unite around the human and basic demand: to return the abductees home.
Tough questions for decision makers: Is there a plan?
The protest raises difficult questions for decision-makers. Is there a clear plan for the return of the kidnapped? Is the government willing to pay the required price? Is there a willingness to negotiate? Many in the public find it difficult to understand the reports that Hamas is ready for a partial deal, but Israel refuses. “How can you explain this to the parents?”, ask protest participants. “How can you look them in the eye and say – we decided not to return your child?”
Looking to the future: Will the protest lead to change?
The current protest is one of the largest and most significant since the start of the war. It includes a general strike, roadblocks, protest rallies, business closures, and the joining of local authorities. The big question is – will it lead to change? Some believe that only widespread public pressure will make the government act. Others argue that the military and the democratically elected government should be trusted. But one thing is clear: this protest expresses a deep sense of pain, a sense of civic responsibility, and a firm call not to forget the abductees.
A day of outcry, hope and unity
The National Day of Protest is not just a political act – it is an expression of hope, of pain, and of a demand for justice. It reminds us all that behind the numbers and headlines there are people – soldiers, civilians, children – waiting to return home. Will the state answer the call? Will it choose the path of compassion, responsibility, and unity? The answers are still unclear, but the cry is being heard – in the streets, in the squares, in the hearts.
She won't disappear until the kidnappers return.
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Crazy! Why are you against the Israeli government?
Go demonstrate against Hamas
You're only interested in overthrowing the government.
And I don't care about you kidnappers.
The extreme left needs to disappear from our lives.
First, we will return the hostages, and then we can eliminate terrorists from the air, without endangering our soldiers on the ground. Whoever proposes to bring tanks and infantry into Gaza now is only putting them in impossible traps and, of course, endangering the hostages. Bibi wants an endless war in the Strip…
This is a protest against!!!!!!!
Against the Jewish state
Against the kidnappers
Against the government
Against the IDF
For the murderers of Gaza, for Hamas
"To tell the truth" To tell the truth does not mean to distort it. Stopping a war and releasing terrorists is not to fold one's tail and it is not to run away. It is simply to be wise in a just place. And that is what will bring the hostages back alive. There is no forgiveness in that and certainly no surrender after we destroyed all of Gaza and eliminated all the leaders of Hamas. And where are we running away to??? I don't understand. We are only returning to the territory of our country. And with the help of our technologies and our other capabilities, we will be careful to keep our finger on the pulse and ensure that we do not even come even a little bit closer to what was. This is how a strong and wise people act. Unlike gangs that blow up their egos and blacken for war.
Okay, we get it, everything is understood! We'll fold our tails, apologize to Hamas, surrender and run away, repair the ruins and promise to be good children. That will surely bring back the kidnapped.
Nonsense!!! A colossal failure by the disgusting Smallmouth losers. You will have no hope.
Every person who has posted here is not of the left or the right. Everyone who has posted here is a miser, a miser, not willing to pay the price for the lives of our people who were kidnapped from their beds and while fulfilling their duty to protect us all. That is why you continue with your lives and do not join the demonstrations. And instead you sit here poisoning the soul and widening the rift and division in the people. So if you have time now, take a moment with yourself and do some soul searching. Think and imagine that the person most dear to you in the world was kidnapped to Gaza. Think about how you would react and feel. Then get up from your chair and take to the streets too, and a Savior will come to Zion.
Is this news, or a propaganda manifesto?
What about everyone who thinks compassion is having pity on the next kidnapped and killed?
And what about those who think that taking responsibility means we won't teach the enemy that it's enough for him to kidnap our people, and Israel will kneel before him and spread its legs?
And those who think that unity means fighting together until victory, standing behind the government in times of war, and not disrupting the lives of citizens and the arrival of soldiers at their bases on Sundays through a lawless protest?
"Many in the public have difficulty understanding the reports," because you in the media are reporting fake news.
The only "deal" that Hamas is willing to accept is Israel's surrender, a de facto renunciation of the perimeter (will you live there without the IDF in the perimeter?) - and even then you won't get all the kidnapped people back.
If you feel like committing suicide, commit suicide. Don't drag the entire nation of Israel with you there.
This will only strengthen Hamas and distance the kidnapped from their families!
And why doesn't the Zionist left expel from its ranks the activists of anti-Israeli Hadash and Martz associations who spread the enemy's political propaganda?!
What does this have to do with the demonstration for the kidnapped?!
Where are the signs condemning Hamas?! Against the terror of starving the hostages?!
I exactly agree with you. Hadash and Marat are pro-Hamas and their supporters should be kicked out of all demonstrations, even from the city hall.
And why doesn't the Zionist left expel from its ranks the activists of anti-Israeli Hadash and Martz associations who spread the enemy's political propaganda?!
What does this have to do with the demonstration for the kidnapped?!
Where are the signs condemning Hamas?!
Where is their authority in condemning Arab terrorism?!
Says a lot
Those who prevent the return of the kidnapped are part of the families of the kidnapped and the damned, miserable activists who exploit their pain and concern.
You have lost the right to use the space, as you say, if you need it, then you need it.
It is important to note that this is a protest that does not really contribute to the release of the kidnapped, it only strengthens Hamas, which thanks to this protest will only continue to press its demands. This is more of a political protest by left-wing organizations that are using the families of the kidnapped for their own purposes, and it is not really about all the families, only those who took advantage of them and believe that it helps. My condolences to you for taking advantage of your pain and making political use of it. With Israel Hai 🇮🇱
Enough with quotes from the message pages of the Miami parasite, "Those who protest strengthen Hamas," while the behavior of the massacre government, its trumpets, and Kahanist baboons like you who still think the sun shines on Bibi from his ass, only you strengthen Hamas, Sinwar, or anyone who wants to continue the eternal war in order to keep your demented and lying dictator in power, even at the expense of the hostages he has been abandoning for almost two years.
Shut up and get off the road, man.