By James Mackenzie
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – A coalition of families of hostages and protesters opposing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions against the judiciary and parts of the security establishment is mobilizing once more as conflict reignites in Gaza this week.
The Prime Minister’s choice to resume military operations and launch attacks on the Palestinian territory, where 59 hostages – approximately 24 of whom are believed to be alive – are still being held, has reignited the ire of demonstrators. They allege that the government is prolonging the conflict for political gains.
Following Netanyahu’s announcement over the weekend that he had lost faith in Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency, and intended to dismiss him, tens of thousands took to the streets on Tuesday night. More protests are ongoing on Wednesday.
Protesters like Koren Offer in Jerusalem argue that the current conflict is no longer about a significant cause but rather about the preservation of Netanyahu’s government and his own position.
Various protest groups, including the Defensive Shield Forum composed of former defense and security officials, and the Movement for Quality Government in Israel, a corruption watchdog group involved in a previous struggle in 2023 over limiting the power of the Supreme Court, have joined forces with families of the hostages in Gaza.
The present wave of protests echoes the massive demonstrations of 2023 – before the October 7 Hamas attacks that sparked the Gaza conflict – which erupted when Netanyahu sought to remove then-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant due to his resistance to a proposed judicial overhaul. Critics of Netanyahu fear that the six-term prime minister poses a threat to Israel’s democratic values.
As calls for new elections grow amid ongoing public discontent over the failures leading to the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas, Netanyahu has managed to hold his right-wing coalition intact. Despite the protests, he has resisted pressure for new elections, with polls indicating potential defeat should an election be held.
Itamar Ben Gvir’s recent decision to rejoin the government, after previously leaving over a ceasefire agreement in January, underscores the political backing the government has garnered from the nationalist-religious sector, a crucial support base.
Detractors of Netanyahu view his dismissal of the Shin Bet chief as a blow to a vital state institution, motivated by political considerations related to Shin Bet’s involvement in probes into alleged corruption within Netanyahu’s circle. Netanyahu dismisses these allegations as politically motivated attacks against him and cites long-standing mistrust in Bar as the reason for his dismissal.
Benny Gantz, leader of the largest centrist opposition party, condemned the decision to remove Bar as a direct threat to national security and as a move that undermines political cohesion in Israel for personal and political objectives.
Netanyahu, who is facing an extended trial on corruption charges which he denies, has frequently been accused by critics and rivals of exploiting security issues as a diversion from his legal troubles.
Israel’s recent military actions in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of many Palestinians and have been strongly criticized by Arab nations, Europe, and the United Nations. Both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating a truce that began in mid-January, providing a brief period of relief for Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants after over a year of devastating conflict that has left the region in ruins and forced the majority of its residents to flee multiple times.
Despite widespread public desire in Israel to end the war and bring back the hostages, the government, led by Netanyahu and receiving support from figures like Ben Gvir, does not currently face a significant threat from protests. Netanyahu’s political standing has actually improved during the course of the conflict, with some backing from the Trump administration. While there are factions advocating for a harsher approach, such as a complete blockade of Gaza, others, including hostage families, are increasingly concerned about the ongoing violence and its impact on their loved ones.
Protester Iftach Brill from Tel Aviv expressed deep anxiety about the uncertain future for the remaining hostages if the conflict continues. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further distress and turmoil.
