Activists from the Women Demand Life movement demonstrated in front of the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem on Monday to mark the two-year anniversary of the return of "The Beautiful Six," referring to the repatriation of six Gaza hostages' bodies to Israel.
The returned bodies belong to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Eden Yerushalmi, Carmel Gat, Almog Sarusi, Alexander Lobanov, and Ori Danino, all of whom were murdered by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in August 2024 after being kidnapped during the October 7 massacre.
“We won’t forget; they could have returned alive,” read a large sign displayed by the protesters.
According to Ynet News, the protesters sought to draw attention to what they say is a lack of accountability on the part of the government concerning its responsibility for the death of the hostages, who were killed after about ten months in captivity, not long before their bodies were returned to Israel.
"The prime minister and his aides have been busy covering up and lying since October 7," the activists said. "While the kidnapped men and women were fighting for their lives, the prime minister rejected deals that could have brought them home."
"A country that has not investigated the October 7 blunder and has not taken responsibility for it cannot guarantee that it will know how to prevent the next disaster," they added.
On August 9, the group protested in Tel Aviv to demand a commission of inquiry into the October 7 massacre, with the demonstration also in recognition of The Beautiful Six. The demonstration included a large, like-worded sign to the one used in the Jerusalem protest.
Mother of murdered Oct. 7 hostage represents victims of terrorism at UN
Monday's demonstration follows a speech by Rachel Goldberg-Polin, mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, at the United Nations on August 21 as a representative of victims of terrorism in the Middle East in honor of International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism.
Delivered in the form of a recorded video, her remarks sought to draw attention to Israeli victims of terrorism, with Rachel sharing the story of her son Hersh, who lost his arm during his kidnapping.
“Hersh will always be my only son,” said Rachel. “Hersh will always be my eldest child, and Hersh will always be 23 years old.”
She was the first Israeli representative appointed to the role, with her testimony shown alongside those of other terror victims from around the world. In recent years, the role has largely been given to Palestinians.
Hostage families group calls on Netanyahu to take responsibility for deaths
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced the deaths of The Beautiful Six shortly following their murder at the hands of Hamas terrorists, noting that the hostages had been "taken alive, endured the horrors of captivity, and were then coldly murdered.”
The forum demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu take responsibility for the deaths, which it emphasized were entirely preventable.
“A deal for the return of the hostages has been on the table for over two months,” it said in a statement. “Were it not for the delays, sabotage, and excuses, those whose deaths we learned about this morning would likely still be alive."
Tzvi Jasper and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.