Tens of Thousands Protest Against Netanyahu Govt Across Israel's Cities
New Delhi: Tens of thousands of people in Israel have joined protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his on Sunday (March 31) night, in front of the Knesset (Israeli parliament) in Jerusalem. Over the last four days, there have been protests in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Be’er Sheva and Caesarea, according to The Guardian.
Protesters, including families of those taken hostage by Hamas on October 7, say that the government is not serious about rescuing those in Hamas custody, and is instead Netanyahu is serving as an "obstacle to the deal".
"I believed that the issue of the hostages was above all else, that there was nothing political about it. I did not believe that I would have to fight against government officials for my brother's right to return home," Carmit Palty Katzir, whose brother Elad is still a hostage with Hamas, said at the rally in front of the Knesset on Sunday, according to Haaretz. The two's mother, Hanna Katzir, had also been a hostage and had been released. She had "returned from captivity an elderly woman, wounded in body and soul – her life is in danger. She begs with what little strength she has that one person – the prime minister – will bring her son back to her," Carmit said.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid also addressed the rally. "In what country in the world are such people still in office after what happened to us?" he said. "Anyone who sits in this government today, the responsibility falls on them. Every minister who doesn't resign, every Knesset member who doesn't vote against the government, who doesn't help us send them home, it's on them. This stain will stick to them for the rest of their life ... If we want to end the war, we need another government."
According to The New York Times, Tel Aviv has been witnessing weekly demonstrations demanding that the government reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas to ensure that hostages are released safely. However, the Netanyahu government has been adamant that only total annihilation of Hamas will lead to an end in the war, which even its allies are beginning to say is looking like an annihilation of Gaza's civilian population.
“We demand our government to sign a deal now, no matter what is the cost,” Lee Hoffmann Agiv, who attended a Tel Aviv protest, told AP “It’s a life or death situation — we will not forgive our government if another hostage dies in captivity.”
So far, Hamas has claimed that Israel's actions have resulted in the death of 70 hostages. Israel's continuing military attacks on the Gaza Strip have killed about 30,000 people, and those who remain are facing severe food, sanitation and healthcare crises.
Netanyahu has said it is not possible to hold elections as that would "paralyse" Israel in the middle of the war. "Elections in the midst of the war, just before victory, will paralyse Israel for at least six months, and in my estimation for eight months," he said. "They will paralyze the negotiation efforts for our hostages, and will bring an end to the war before the completion of its objectives. [The fact that] the first to bless this will be Hamas, it says everything."
The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
