Israeli citizens stormed central Jerusalem on Sunday, March 31 in the largest anti-government protest since the country went to war with Hamas. Protesters urged the government to reach a ceasefire deal in order to free dozens of hostages held by Hamas and to hold early elections for the Knesset, the Israeli parliamentary body. According to the New York Times, Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, is accused of having put his political survival ahead of Israel’s broader interests by many of the demonstrators on Sunday. The crowd on Sunday stretched for blocks around the Knesset building, and organizers vowed to continue the demonstration for several days.
Protesters blame Netanyahu for the security failures of Oct. 7, 2023, and say the deep political divisions over his attempted judicial overhaul last year weakened Israel ahead of the attack. In addition, protestors accuse him of damaging relations with the United States, which, AP News states, is Israel’s most important ally. Biden chastised Netanyahu for endangering civilians and non-combatants, an issue that has put the U.S. and Israel at odds. Netanyahu refuses to adhere to advice from President Biden not to be “blinded by rage” and make the same “mistakes” the United States did after the September 11, 2001 attacks. In spite of this counsel, Netanyahu appears unwilling or unable to make the decisions that the U.S. and President Biden suggested, according to Politico.
Netanyahu is allegedly holding back due to fears that his coalition partners may abandon him, thus losing his position and putting him in a tenuous position. This position is heightened by his legal troubles; Netanyahu is facing corruption charges which are slowly making their way through the courts, further complicating his situation. To the public, his decisions appear to be self-focused. In a statement, Boaz Atzili, whose cousin, Aviv Atzili, and his cousin’s wife, Liat, were kidnapped on Oct. 7, stated that no hostages will come home with this government in place because it is intentionally hindering negotiations. L. Atzili was released but A. Atzili was killed, and his body is still in Gaza.
Netanyahu, in a nationally televised speech on March 31, stated that he understood what families were going through. He said that calling new elections could jeopardize Israel’s attempts in hostage talks for six to eight months. For now, Netanyahu’s governing coalition appears to remain intact.
Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring back all of the hostages. While Hamas has suffered heavy losses, the terrorist group still remains in power. About half of the hostages in Gaza returned home safely during the weeklong ceasefire in November. However, international mediators failed in bringing home the remaining hostages. Talks resumed on March 31, but there are no signs that a deal is imminent. In the eyes of Israeli families, they believe time is running out and they are becoming more vocal about their displeasure with Netanyahu’s leadership.
