Israeli Protestors Reach A “Breaking Point” After Hostage Killings.
Protesters carried empty coffins past Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home on Monday night, claiming that Netanyahu is carrying a far greater load.
The weight of the conflict in Gaza has been greater on Israel’s leader ever since six Israeli hostages were discovered dead in a tunnel there last weekend.
“It broke my heart that they were killed so soon after they had a chance to be saved,” stated Anna Rubin, who participated in a demonstration in Tel Aviv.
Many folks reach a breaking point at that point because they realize nothing will be done by staying at home while they are on edge.
Following the massive rallies that erupted around Tel Aviv last night, tens of thousands of Israelis returned to the streets on Monday. Although a lot of people believe that this is a pivotal time, Prime Minister Netanyahu has been here before.
He has witnessed numerous public protests over the course of months and years. With the backing of a parliamentary majority, he has mainly ignored their requests.
However, many Israelis are not protesting if Mr. Netanyahu is not paying attention.
The labor union of the nation called for a one-day nationwide strike, but it was only sporadically observed, even in liberal Tel Aviv, the nation’s beachside capital.
The majority of the city’s stores and eateries were open after briefly closing on Sunday night in support of the protest.
One of the employees at the neighborhood cafe informed me, “I don’t agree with the decision.”
“We ought to have shut down.”
With her flawless makeup and big shades, Tamara was getting up on a street scooter. She declared, “I disagree with the strike.” “We need to live; we cannot stop everything, even though we want the hostages back.”
Niva, 23, expressed her surprise at how many spots were available. She remarked, “The nation is currently in a very confrontational mood.”
However, the most remarkable altercation isn’t taking place on the sidewalks.
Mr. Netanyahu defied anyone to demand greater concessions from Israel in its negotiations over a truce and hostage arrangement, which is being mediated by the United States, during a televised press conference on Monday night.
“Six of our hostages were executed by these murderers; they were shot in the back of the head,” he declared. And we’re expected to act seriously now that this has happened? We’re expected to give in on something?
g
He claimed that sending Hamas the message, “Kill more hostages [and] you’ll get more concessions,” would be the intended outcome.
He asserted that no one, not even US President Joe Biden, would push him to make any further concessions if they were sincere about bringing about peace and liberating the hostages.
Shortly before, Mr. Biden responded to a question from reporters by saying he didn’t think the prime minister of Israel was doing enough to achieve a ceasefire agreement.
One of Hamas’ main demands is that Israel remove all of its troops from the Philadelphi Corridor, a stretch of land that runs along Gaza’s border with Egypt.
Local media has extensively reported that Israel’s security authorities, including Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, are in favor of alternatives to maintaining troops on the ground.
In public, Mr. Gallant has urged the cabinet to support a suggested compromise.
Israel’s previous wave of large-scale protests, which were prompted by Mr. Netanyahu’s ambitions for judicial reform, peaked in danger when he attempted to remove Mr. Gallant and was subsequently compelled to reinstate him.
Political expert Tamar Hermann of Israel’s Democracy Institute believes that if he tried that again, it might actually be the catalyst for this protest movement’s real turning point.
She states that there is currently a “zero” threat from protesters to him.
The majority are left-wing critics whose grievances against the prime minister extend well beyond the Gaza hostage situation.
“Netanyahu is more knowledgeable than I am,” she remarked, “so the best course of action is to let it act as a safety valve and let people accuse you of being a murderer.”
For the time being, at least, Prime Minister Netanyahu appears to think he can withstand the demands for a compromise being made from the street because of his parliamentary majority.
However, it might be more difficult to disregard the demands made by the US president and his own defense minister.
