On Monday evening, Israeli protesters marched past Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s house carrying empty coffins. Symbolizing the heavy burden they believe he bears. The discovery of six Israeli hostages found dead in a Gaza tunnel last weekend has significantly increased the weight of the ongoing conflict on Israel’s leader. Anna Rubin, a protester in Tel Aviv, expressed the growing frustration, stating, “The fact that they were alive and murdered right before they could have been saved – that broke it.” This event has become a breaking point for many Israelis, driving them to the streets in search of change.
Widespread Demonstrations and Mixed Strike Response IsraeliÂ
Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets on Monday, continuing the mass demonstrations that filled Tel Aviv the previous night. Many hope this marks a turning point, but Netanyahu has faced similar protests before, often relying on his parliamentary majority to ignore their demands. A one-day general strike called by the labor union was met with mixed responses, even in Tel Aviv, where some businesses briefly closed in solidarity, but many reopened quickly. Public opinion remains divided, with some supporting the strike and others arguing that life must go on despite the crisis.
Netanyahu’s Defiance in Negotiations IsraeliÂ
In a live press conference on Monday night. Netanyahu rejected calls for more concessions in the ongoing negotiations over a hostage. And ceasefire deal, brokered by the US. He emphasized the brutality of the hostage murders, saying. “These murderers executed six of our hostages; they shot them in the back of the head. And now, after this, we’re asked to show seriousness? We’re asked to make concessions?” Netanyahu argued that making concessions after such acts would only encourage further violence from Hamas.
Internal and External Pressures Mount
Despite Netanyahu’s defiance, he faces growing pressure from within his government and from international leaders like US President Joe Biden. Reports suggest that Israel’s security chiefs, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, are considering alternatives to maintaining troops in Gaza. Gallant has publicly pushed for a compromise, which could signal a shift in strategy. While Netanyahu remains focused on maintaining his hardline stance. The demands from his defence minister. And international allies could prove more challenging to ignore than the protests on the streets.
