The weekly, and sometimes daily hostage demonstrations are seen by participants as essential to securing the release of Israelis held captive in Gaza. And there’s no doubt that at the very least seeing all those caring people out there is a comfort to the distraught families of the hostages.

But there’s also a serious downside.

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, has become one of the most recognizable faces of the hostage demonstration movement. She’s at every event, usually speaking on stage, and is repeatedly interviewed by the media. Though Einav has become a divisive figure due to her using every opportunity to slam Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, that’s not what most concerns her ex-husband, Yaron Zangauker.

Yaron believes the constant images of chaotic protests, most of which Einav is leading, have been “harmful” to their son by turning him into the most valuable “card” in Hamas’s hands. “The price [for his release] has surely gone up,” he told the Kan public broadcaster.

Many of the hostages who have returned speak of Hamas being greatly encouraged by the fact that the Israeli protests are more often than not marked by sharp criticism and even condemnation of the government, fueling division more than unity.

Some have criticized Yaron for not being as active as his ex-wife in demonstrating for their son’s release. “I go to demonstrations,” he insisted. “I go out there and raise the flag. But there are demonstrations and there are demonstrations. I want my son back, whether that is accomplished in a noisy way or a quiet way.”