Refraining from participating in demonstrations for the release of the kidnapped

It's hard for me to give a clear answer to this. My feeling is that it is, and that's why I refrain from participating in these demonstrations. But that's because I believe the state is doing what's necessary (perhaps because of the pressure so far), and so further pressure will tip the scales in the direction you described. Others don't believe they're doing what's necessary or think it's worth it at any cost, and so they do participate. [I am writing this even though my opinion is, as I wrote here, that it is right to release all Hamas prisoners in exchange for all the hostages, if Hamas agrees to such a deal. It is not like the Shalit deal. I fear that the price here will be much higher in terms of security and our policy towards Gaza in the future, and therefore here I object to the demonstrations] In my opinion, some of these demonstrations are also a continuation of the protest against the reform and against the government, except that it has shifted towards the kidnapped (because the other issues are currently not on the agenda and will not arouse identification and participation). This is another reason I have reservations about these demonstrations, and it is related to the previous one. Because I think the demonstrations are excessive, I am putting this in the continuation of the protest. Of course, sharing in the families' grief and helping them is a great commandment. I'm only talking about the demonstrations.