Zehava Shaul, whose son's body is being held by Hamas in Gaza, protested outside the entrance of the Knesset on Thursday prior to the inauguration with dozens of supporters and family members, calling for the return of her son Oron as well as Hadar Goldin and Avera Mengistu.
"I'm ashamed of the majority of Israel's elected officials," Shaul said. "They are responsible for locating my son in Hamas captivity and can have him released tomorrow morning if they wish. I appreciate the Knesset members who stopped to hug and say a good word and thank them, but they will be tested by their actions for the return of the young men."
"Today we protested by the Knesset," Oron's brother, Ofek Shaul, said. "120 Knesset members swore allegiance to the state of Israel. The state of Israel also means civilians and IDF soldiers. Two IDF soldiers in Hamas captivity - Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin - what about them? You forgot about them? Israeli civilians in Hamas captivity? What about them? Those 120 Knesset members - 90% of them just saw us protesting and ignored us. We are protesting for the return of our soldiers and civilians. What are we asking for already?"
''This has been the story for over 5 years and everyone just ignores it," Shaul continued. "They absolved themselves of responsibility in the past and are still doing the same thing. It's one big disgrace. It's a shame that it doesn't interest anyone."