A wave of public petitions calling for the return of hostages from Gaza even if it means an immediate end to the war continued on Monday, representing several more sectors of Israeli society, with thousands signing on to back the call originally made by Israeli Air Force reservists last week.

Separate letters were published Monday in the name of some 3,500 higher education academics, 3,000 education officials, 1,500 armored corps soldiers, 1,000 parents, dozens of former Foreign Ministry officials, and IDF Spokesperson’s Unit reservists.

As quoted by the Haaretz daily, academics signed on to a demand for the return of hostages without delay, “even at the cost of ending the war immediately.”

“The war serves mainly personal political interests,” the petition charged. “Continuing the war will bring death upon hostages, IDF soldiers, and innocent civilians and will wear out reservists. As has been proved in the past, only an agreement can bring hostages back to Israel safely.”

In a separate letter, education officials emphasized their belief that “only a diplomatic agreement can save lives, and that every passing moment without one” endangers the hostages.

It asserted that “this is not a call for refusal” to show up for military duties, but “a call to save lives.”

Critics of the petitions signed by military reservists, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and members of the government, have characterized them as calls to refuse to serve, although the letters have not issued a threat to ignore calls to duty over the hostage........

© The Times of Israel