Red Cross Faces Backlash for Handling of Israeli Hostage Crisis: Families Express Disappointment

Red Cross Faces Backlash for Handling of Israeli Hostage Crisis: Families Express Disappointment

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a recent turn of events, families of Israelis held hostage by Hamas have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Red Cross’s handling of the crisis. According to a recently published report in The Jerusalem Post, representatives of the international humanitarian organization reportedly reprimanded the families during a meeting, urging them to “think about the Palestinian side.” The incident has sparked outrage in Israel, with accusations that the Red Cross failed in its duty during the mass kidnapping and subsequent events, the JPost report said.

Roni and Simona, parents of Doron Steinbrecher, who was abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7 from Kfar Azza, were invited to a meeting with the Red Cross. Hoping for assistance with the daily medication Doron requires, the parents were instead met with reprimands, as was reported by the JPost. The Red Cross representatives allegedly told Simona to “think about the Palestinian side,” emphasizing the challenges faced by Palestinians amid bombings.

On the day of Doron’s abduction, her parents witnessed terrorists heading towards her location. As was reported by the JPost, the last communication from Doron came in the form of a voice message, indicating that she had been captured. Despite the recent cease-fire, which raised hopes for the release of hostages, Doron remains in captivity as the conflict resumed without her return.

The Avraham family, whose 84-year-old member Elma was released during the ceasefire, also faced difficulties with the Red Cross, as was indicated in the JPost report. The organization refused to provide Elma with the necessary medication. Following her release, Elma’s health deteriorated rapidly, requiring immediate hospitalization. The JPost report also said that Dr. Nadav Davidovitz, who treated Elma, criticized the Red Cross for what he deemed “unlawful neglect” regarding the provision of medications to hostages.

The Red Cross’s actions, or lack thereof, have ignited widespread anger in Israel. According to the JPost report, some critics argue that the organization merely functioned as a “taxi service” for hostages during their release, failing to address crucial issues such as medical care and medication provision. The Steinbrecher and Avraham families’ experiences highlight a perceived inadequacy in the Red Cross’s response to the October 7 kidnapping and subsequent events, the report added.

The Jerusalem Institute of Justice recently sent a pointed letter to the International Committee of the Red Cross, highlighting the organization’s conspicuous absence of social media posts addressing the situation of Israeli hostages and victims, the report in the JPost said. The letter suggests a perceived bias in the Red Cross’s communication, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that considers the welfare of all parties involved in the conflict.

Approximately three weeks after the October 7 massacre, Shurat HaDin, an Israeli human rights group, rallied 1,200 lawyers worldwide to sign a scathing letter condemning the Red Cross for its alleged inaction regarding the hostages. As was reported by the JPost, the attorneys accused the ICRC of repeating historical mistakes, drawing parallels to the organization’s acknowledged indifference and inaction during the Holocaust. This comparison raises serious concerns about the gravity of the situation and the potential consequences of perceived negligence, the report also said.

The divergence in the Red Cross’s social media messaging has become a focal point of criticism. While the organization has actively posted about the dire humanitarian situation of Palestinian Arabs in Gaza, the apparent omission of any mention of Israeli hostages and victims has fueled accusations of bias, according to the JPost report.  Critics argue that the Red Cross’s mandate requires an impartial approach, ensuring that the suffering of all individuals affected by conflict is acknowledged and addressed.

The reference to the Holocaust in the lawyers’ letter underscores the gravity of the accusations against the Red Cross. By drawing parallels to a period marked by widespread human rights violations and the ICRC’s admitted failures, the legal community is emphasizing the historical responsibility of humanitarian organizations to learn from past mistakes and act more decisively in the present.

As these accusations gain momentum, the Red Cross is under pressure to respond to the concerns raised by the Jerusalem Institute of Justice and the global legal community, according to the report. The organization’s actions in the coming weeks and months will likely shape perceptions of its commitment to impartiality and the protection of human rights in conflict zones. Additionally, the broader implications for international humanitarian efforts and the responsibilities of organizations such as the Red Cross will be closely monitored.