American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten touched off outrage over the weekend by claiming that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu bears blame for the execution of six hostages — including American Hersh Goldberg-Polin — who were found brutally slain by Hamas.
Weingarten, 66, who became a notorious figure during the COVID-19 pandemic for repeatedly advocating to keep schools closed despite their relative safety amid the outbreak, initially blasted Bibi on Sunday, one day after the hostage bodies were found in a Gaza Strip tunnel.
“Our hearts are breaking for the families of the hostages Hamas murdered,” Weingarten posted on X. “At the same time anger must be placed at Netanyahu’s feet for his refusal to consummate [a] cease fire [sic]/ hostage release deal.”
Weingarten was responding to a post by US Ambassador to Israel Jack Lew, who wrote: “We are heartbroken and outraged at the news that Hersh Goldberg-Polin and five other hostages were killed in the hands of Hamas.”
Former US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman fired back at Weingarten on X Monday morning, saying: “Ms. Weingarten, expert as you are in matters of hostage negotiations and national security, please tell me the terms of the deal that Hamas had agreed to that Netanyahu refused.”
“Maybe there was a great deal on the table that Bibi blew. But unless you can answer all these questions, your comment is just insensitive political drivel that further divides the Jewish people already in crisis.”
Weingarten doubled down on her critique of the Israeli head of government Tuesday, writing on X: “Netanyahu is more concerned with his own survival, than the survival of the hostages or frankly, the state of Israel. That’s why you see hundreds of thousands of Israelis standing up to him and on the streets.“
Israeli Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that Hamas appeared to have “brutally murdered” the hostages “shortly before we reached them.”
There are believed to be at least four American hostages in the Gaza Strip who are still alive, according to data from the American Jewish Committee.
Three other US hostages are believed to be dead and their remains still in the terror group’s possession.
Hamas took roughly 250 people hostage during its bloody Oct. 7, 2023 rampage that killed an estimated 1,200 people. Over 100 have since been released.
As many as 60 hostages are thought to possibly be still alive while almost three dozen dead bodies are believed to be in Hamas’ possession, per Israeli officials.
The American Federation of Teachers is the second largest teachers union in the country behind the National Education Association and Weingarten has been at the helm since 2008.
President Biden accused Netanyahu Monday of not doing enough to procure the release of the hostages held captive by Hamas, rankling top Israeli officials.
“For our part, we will not relent. The government of Israel is committed, and I am personally committed, to continue striving toward a deal that will return all of our hostages and ensure our security and our existence,” Netanyahu responded in a statement.
“I say to the Hamas terrorists who murdered our hostages and I say to their leaders: You will pay the price. We will not rest, nor will be silent. We will pursue you, we will find you, and we will settle accounts with you.”
