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“From a leader who repeatedly stated that the goal of the war is the eradication of terror, we did not expect actions that grant terror groups power, legitimacy, and fuel for further murderous acts,” the letter reads.

The families strongly oppose the potential release of convicted terrorists, warning that such decisions carry a heavy cost in human lives, national security, and Israel’s international standing. They cite past incidents, including the Shalit prisoner exchange, which they explain contributed to subsequent terrorist attacks, including October 7th.

The letter calls on the Prime Minister to:

Stand firm against the release of convicted terrorists in any exchange that could weaken deterrence and increase risks to civilians.

Ensure the return of hostages while safeguarding Israel’s long-term security interests, without granting legitimacy or rehabilitation to terror organizations.

“Knowing that those who murdered our loved ones may walk free burns in our hearts,” the letter states. “We have no words left, only a cry — a cry to remember their names, faces, voices, and presence. We will continue to demand justice — not as a political game, but as simple human justice.”

Signed by 186 terror victims families, the letter urges the Prime Minister to resist political, media, or public pressures and lead the country toward a genuine victory over terror — a victory that preserves civilian lives and establishes a path for correct political and security initiatives in the future.

The complete letter translated:

To: Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu

Greetings,

Subject: Demand to refrain from releasing murderers — and to stand firm for the sake of national security and the lives of citizens.

We have heard with sorrow, shock, and pain about the possibility of releasing terrorists convicted of murder who may now be freed as part of a deal. We did not expect that a leader who repeatedly stated that the goal of the war is the eradication of terror would act in a way that grants terror groups power, legitimacy, and fuel for further murderous acts.

If you again yield to the policy of releasing terrorists who committed serious crimes, the price that will be paid in the future will be far greater — in terms of human lives, national security, and Israel’s standing on the international stage. It is unacceptable that on the one hand, you declare that the goal is the destruction of Hamas, and on the other hand, allow the release of those who may rise to lead it again in the future.

The planned release of murderers of civilians — those who committed the most serious crimes against our citizens — constitutes, in our opinion, a moral disgrace as well as a strategic and security risk. Past experience proves that releasing terrorists has only increased terror. The terrorists released in previous deals were involved in severe murders, and in many cases, once freed, they became leaders or instigators of new terrorist activities, exacting a heavy blood price from our people.

We write from broken hearts, mourning a loss that will never heal. Since the murder, our lives have been diminished — we feel no security, there is no home as it once was. Losing our loved ones has scorched our hearts, and the pain does not fade. The release of the murderers will strike us again, with a terrible and harsh blow.

You must act out of national responsibility and fulfill your mission — to protect the lives of citizens and defeat the enemy — without yielding to political, media, or public pressures that could lead to compromises endangering the country’s long-term security. Any deal for the release of terrorists must be weighed strictly against security interests — and if such action could have consequences leading to another massacre, it must not be approved.

The Shalit deal to which you yielded directly led to the disaster of October 7, in the midst of Yom Tov. We implore you — do not repeat this tragic mistake!!

We demand:

• A firm stand against the release of convicted terrorists in any deals that would weaken deterrence and increase the risk to civilians.

• Action to secure the return of hostages while fully safeguarding Israel’s long-term security interests — without granting legitimacy or the future ability of terror organizations to rehabilitate.

The knowledge that those who murdered our loved ones may walk freely burns in our hearts. We have no more words. We have only a cry — a cry to remember their names, to remember their faces, voices, and the presence that was taken from us. We will continue to call for justice — not as a political game, but as simple human justice.

We cry out on behalf of those who were murdered. Our pain is also a warning: every peace that comes at the cost of our loved ones’ blood is a misused peace; every concession not based on justice strengthens the wave of terror and increases the pain that will follow.

How many more families must write letters like this before we learn the lesson? We will not see our loved ones again — but it is our collective responsibility to ensure that future children can walk the streets without fear.

We call on you: Stand firm against pressures. Lead the country to a true victory over terror — a victory that will protect the lives of citizens and pave the way for correct political and security initiatives in the future.

With sorrow, concern, and great pain,
186 Families of Terror Victims

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