Protests Against Netanyahu Intensify as Cease-Fire Talks Resume
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced growing challenges to power on Sunday as thousands gathered outside Parliament to call for early elections in what were shaping up to be one of the largest demonstrations against the government in Israel since the start of the war in the Gaza Strip.
Some protesters carried signs calling for Mr. Netanyahu’s “immediate removal.” Others wielded posters calling for elections, saying “those who destroyed can’t be the ones to fix.”
The protest came a day after thousands took to the streets of Tel Aviv, waving flags and carrying pictures of the Israeli hostages with signs reading “Hostage deal now.”
Elad Dreifuss, a 25-year-old university student demonstrating in Jerusalem on Sunday, said that protesting against the government at a time of war was a difficult decision, but that “if the government can’t live up to its responsibility, something has to change.”
The protests in Jerusalem, which were planned to continue through Wednesday, came as in-person talks resumed in Cairo concerning a possible cease-fire and the release of hostages held by Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.
Some of the demonstrators outside the Knesset, the Israeli Legislature, in Jerusalem, were expected to remain in a cluster of tents there for several days.
“I believe Israel is facing one of the most difficult moments in its history,” said Moshe Radman, an entrepreneur who is helping organize the protest. “We need a government that will act for the betterment of the nation, not in the interest of political and personal considerations of a prime minister.”
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At last reporting I heard, Bibi is still insisting Israel will assault Rafah in southern Gaza. Considering how crowded that relatively intact area is, with refugees from all over the northern and central areas in Gaza, the loss of civilian lives will no doubt be worse than the 35,000 already killed. I am aware that Bibi feels the need to destroy Hamas, but Hamas is an idea, one that will not go away, but will grow if Bibi and the IDF kill another 25-30,000 Palestinians. This will not come to a good end - for anyone.
Israelis were in the streets protesting their right wing government many weeks before October 7th. The US had warned Netanyahu about the imminence of an attack. Like George W. Bush, Bibi thought there'd be redemption in being a "war time" leader. Biden warned him about an outsized and embroiling response. With these demonstrations in the street comes some cover for Biden to curtail arms to Bibi.