There have been weekly protests in
Israel since soon after the beginning of the war last October, which was triggered by Hamas’s attack into Israel in which 1,200 died, mainly civilians, and about 250 were taken hostage. Support for the war remains strong but there is fierce criticism of Netanyahu’s coalition government, which includes far-right ministers.
Prof Vered Vinitzky-Seroussi, a sociologist at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said: “The very fact that Netanyahu and some of his fans have made [the hostage crisis] something we argue about is unbearable. This is the most basic commitment a state has to its citizens. What happened on October 7 undermined the basic assumptions of many Israelis. Where was the army? Where was the state?”
The Times of Israel
described a “dark year”, with the combined toll of the October attacks and Israel’s subsequent military losses in the war in Gaza the highest for 50 years. “Too many people were killed on that day because of a colossal misjudgment,” said Ruby Chen, whose son, Itay, was killed in the Hamas attack in October. “People who made the misjudgment need to pay, from the prime minister down.”
In a recent poll in Ma’ariv newspaper, more than half of respondents said Netanyahu, who could face a lengthy prison sentence if convicted in ongoing corruption trials, had prioritised his own political survival over the fate of the hostages. However, 44% said Netanyahu was right to reject the most recent ceasefire deal with Hamas, against 41% who favoured an agreement.
Further protests are likely to increase through the summer so long as no agreement is reached @
Crisis24