The delegation includes mothers of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza, at the request of the Hostage and Missing Families Forum. But, to the forum's surprise, their request to also include Professor Hagai Levin, who is the senior-most authority on the health of the hostages and advises the families, was turned down and he was told that he would not be included.
Levine has been a vocal opponent of the government's efforts to change Israel's judicial system, which was launched soon after the current coalition under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to power.
Since the war, Levine has advocated for the health of the hostages and of their family members.
The directorate for the hostages at the Prime Minister's Office did not deny that Levin was removed from participation.
"The delegation leaving for Geneva is very small and includes mothers of hostages and officials representing Israel," the PMO said. "It is the result of the joint efforts of the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, the Foreign, Defense and Health ministries as part of the effort to raise awareness of the urgent need to improve the conditions of the hostages till held captive by Hamas."
