Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday announced his opposition to power after thousands of people gathered outside parliament to call for early elections in what is shaping up to be one of the largest demonstrations against the Israeli government since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip. faced increasing challenges.
Some demonstrators held placards calling for Netanyahu's “immediate removal.” Some people held up posters calling for elections, saying, “You can't fix what you've destroyed.”
The protests came a day after thousands of people took to the streets of Tel Aviv waving flags and carrying photos of Israeli hostages holding placards that read “No Hostage Deal Now.”
Elad Dreyfus, a 25-year-old university student who demonstrated in Jerusalem on Sunday, said it was a difficult decision to protest against the government during wartime, but “if the government can't fulfill its responsibilities, something will happen.'' There should be,” he said. To change. ”
The protests in Jerusalem were scheduled to last until Wednesday, but began as direct talks resumed in Cairo over a possible ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. Hamas spokesman Bassem Naim said Hamas was not sending a delegation.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing increasing pressure at home and abroad over Israel's conduct of the war in Gaza.
Close allies such as the United States have criticized the heavy civilian toll and urged Israel to allow more aid to the enclave, where death and starvation are rife. And many Israelis are calling on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prioritize the release of hostages captured by Hamas on October 7 and still being held in Gaza as part of the cease-fire agreement.
Some of the demonstrators outside the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem, are expected to remain there for several days in tents.
“I think Israel is facing one of the most difficult times in its history,” said Moshe Radman, an entrepreneur who is helping organize the protests. “What we need is a government that will act for the betterment of the country, not for the prime minister's political or personal considerations.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu underwent hernia surgery on Sunday night and met in Jerusalem with families of soldiers held in Gaza, his office said. Early Monday morning, his office announced the procedure was successful.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been criticized by many Israelis for failing to take responsibility for a deadly Hamas-led attack in October. He faces growing calls for his resignation. He has consistently rejected criticism of the regime, saying it seeks “complete victory” against Hamas and calling for a permanent ceasefire.
At a news conference Sunday, Prime Minister Netanyahu refuted criticism that he had not done enough to bring the hostages home. “I have done and will continue to do everything possible to secure their release,” he said.
Netanyahu has come under increasing pressure from other quarters in recent days as he grapples with a controversial bill that would extend exemption from compulsory military service for ultra-Orthodox Jews. The dispute could lead to the collapse of the government, which is made up of a right-wing coalition of secular and ultra-Orthodox lawmakers. If the state does not extend the exemption, ultra-Orthodox lawmakers could leave the government. If the exemption is extended, non-religious members may withdraw.
As the war approaches the end of six months, Israel faces repeated demands to agree to a ceasefire. At Easter Sunday Mass, Pope Francis added his voice to these calls.
“I once again appeal for humanitarian access to Gaza to be ensured,” he said. “I once again call for the immediate release of the hostages taken on October 7 last year and for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. ” he said.
Israel's war cabinet is scheduled to convene on Sunday to discuss issues surrounding a possible ceasefire.
Negotiations have stalled due to disagreements over the return of displaced Gazans to their homes, the permanence of the ceasefire, and what happens to Israel's withdrawal from Gaza. Hamas announced last week that he had rejected Israel's counteroffer.
One of the big questions is the fate of Palestinians living in makeshift camps and shelters in southern and central Gaza. They had wanted to return to their homes in the north for months, but senior Hamas official Ghazi Hamad said in an interview that Israel refuses to allow Gazans to return to the north en masse and will not do so. He said that he is claiming that. In other words, it is a case of “several pieces at a time under severe conditions”.
Humanitarian officials have warned in recent days that only a ceasefire would allow aid groups to transport enough food and other supplies to Gaza to avert imminent famine. According to Gaza health officials, more than 32,000 Palestinians have died in the war. According to Israel, about 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas-led attack.
Egypt, Qatar and the United States, a strong ally of Israel, have played mediating roles in previous rounds of negotiations, and two Arab countries have acted as intermediaries with Hamas leaders. But so far no workable agreement has been reached by either side.
Report contributor: aaron boxerman, Nada Rashwan, Cassandra Vinograd and Jonathan Rees.