Tens of thousands of Israelis thronged central Jerusalem in the largest anti-government protest since the country went to war in October. Protesters urged the government to reach a cease-fire deal to free dozens of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants and to hold early elections.
Quick Read
- Major Protests in Jerusalem: Tens of thousands of Israelis protested in central Jerusalem against the government’s handling of the ongoing war and the issue of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants. This marks the largest anti-government protest since the conflict began in October.
- Public Division and Criticism: The protest reflects growing divisions and criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership during the nearly six-month-long conflict with Hamas. Despite initial unity, public sentiment is increasingly questioning Netanyahu’s strategies and the broader impact on Israeli society.
- Hostage Crisis Concerns: Families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are becoming more vocal in their dissatisfaction with the government’s efforts to secure their release. The lack of progress in negotiations and the government’s focus on other priorities have fueled frustration and anger among affected families and supporters.
- Political and Judicial Overhaul Controversy: Netanyahu’s previous attempt to overhaul the judiciary and ongoing corruption charges against him have contributed to public discontent. Critics accuse him of prioritizing political survival over national interests, further deepening political divisions.
- Election Timing Debate: The possibility of early elections is a contentious topic among protesters and hostage families. Some argue that changing the government could hinder efforts to bring hostages home, while others believe new leadership is necessary to address the crisis effectively.
- Military Draft and Ultra-Orthodox Community: The issue of military draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men has resurfaced, with reservists and retired officers protesting in ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods. The controversy over exemptions has intensified during the war, adding another layer to the public’s grievances.
- Economic and Infrastructure Concerns: The Bank of Israel’s annual report highlights potential economic damage if the current situation continues, particularly regarding the participation of ultra-Orthodox men in the military and workforce.
- Airstrike on Hospital: An Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Gaza, resulting in casualties and injuries. The military’s justification for targeting a medical facility has drawn criticism and raised concerns about the impact on civilians seeking shelter.
- Easter Observances Amid Conflict: Despite the war, members of Gaza’s Palestinian Christian community gathered at the Holy Family Church to celebrate Easter, highlighting the perseverance of faith and community spirit in the face of adversity.
- Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: The United Nations warns of a potential famine in northern Gaza due to the devastation and isolation caused by the conflict. The need for increased humanitarian aid and the reopening of aid corridors are critical issues as the death toll and hunger grow in the besieged territory.
- Regional Tensions: An Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon, which resulted in the death of a Hezbollah militant, underscores the risk of the conflict spreading beyond Gaza. This incident, along with other regional developments, raises concerns about a wider regional conflict.
The Associated Press has the story:
Israelis stage largest protest since war began to increase pressure on Netanyahu
Newslooks- JERUSALEM (AP) —
Tens of thousands of Israelis thronged central Jerusalem in the largest anti-government protest since the country went to war in October. Protesters urged the government to reach a cease-fire deal to free dozens of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants and to hold early elections.
Israeli society was broadly united immediately after Oct. 7, when Hamas killed some 1,200 people during a cross-border attack and took 250 others hostage. Nearly six months of conflict have renewed divisions over the leadership of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, though the country remains largely in favor of the war.
Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring all the hostages home, yet those goals have been elusive. While Hamas has suffered heavy losses, it remains intact.
Roughly half the hostages in Gaza were released during a weeklong cease-fire in November. But attempts by international mediators to bring home the remaining hostages have failed. Talks resumed on Sunday with no signs that a breakthrough was imminent.
Hostages’ families believe time is running out, and they are getting more vocal about their displeasure with Netanyahu.
“We believe that no hostages will come back with this government because they’re busy putting sticks in the wheels of negotiations for the hostages,” said Boaz Atzili, whose cousin, Aviv Atzili and his wife, Liat, were kidnapped on Oct. 7. Liat was released but Aviv was killed, and his body is in Gaza. “Netanyahu is only working in his private interests.”
PROTESTERS HAVE MANY GRIEVANCES
Protesters blame Netanyahu for the failures of Oct. 7 and say the deep political divisions over his attempted judicial overhaul last year weakened Israel ahead of the attack. Some accuse him of damaging relations with the United States, Israel’s most important ally.
Netanyahu is also facing a litany of corruption charges which are slowly making their way through the courts, and critics say his decisions appear to be focused on political survival over the national interest. Opinion polls show Netanyahu and his coalition trailing far behind their rivals if elections were held today.
Unless his governing coalition falls apart sooner, Netanyahu won’t face elections until spring of 2026.
Many families of hostages had refrained from publicly denouncing Netanyahu to avoid antagonizing the leadership and making the hostages’ plight a political issue. But as their anger grows, some now want to change course — and they played a major role in Sunday’s anti-government protest.
The crowd stretched for blocks around the Knesset, or parliament building, and organizers vowed to continue the demonstration for several days. They urged the government to hold new elections nearly two years ahead of schedule. Thousands also demonstrated Sunday in Tel Aviv, where there was a large protest the night before.
Netanyahu, in a nationally televised speech before undergoing hernia surgery later Sunday, said he understood families’ pain. But he said calling new elections — in what he described as a moment before victory — would paralyze Israel for six to eight months and stall the hostage talks. For now, Netanyahu’s governing coalition appears to remain firmly intact.
Some hostage families agree that now is not the time for elections.
“I don’t think that changing the prime minister now is what will advance and help my son to come home,” Sheli Shem Tov, whose son Omer was kidnapped from a music festival, told Israel’s Channel 12. “To go to elections now will just push to the side the most burning issue, which is to return the hostages home.”
In his Sunday address, Netanyahu also repeated his vow for a military ground offensive in Rafah, the southern Gaza city where more than half of territory’s population of 2.3 million now shelters after fleeing fighting elsewhere. “There is no victory without going into Rafah,” he said, adding that U.S. pressure would not deter him. Israel’s military says Hamas battalions remain there.
In another reminder of Israel’s divisions, a group of reservists and retired officers demonstrated in an ultra-Orthodox neighborhood.
Ultra-Orthodox men for generations have received exemptions from military service, which is compulsory for most Jewish men and women. Resentment over that has deepened during the war. Netanyahu’s government has been ordered to present a new plan for a more equitable draft law by Monday.
Netanyahu, who relies heavily on the support of ultra-Orthodox parties, last week asked for an extension.
The Bank of Israel said in its annual report on Sunday that there could be economic damage if large numbers of ultra-Orthodox men continue not to serve in Israel’s military.
ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE HITS TENT CAMP AT HOSPITAL
An Israeli airstrike hit a tent camp in the courtyard of a crowded hospital in central Gaza, killing two Palestinians and wounding another 15, including journalists working nearby.
An Associated Press reporter filmed the strike and aftermath at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, where thousands of people have sheltered. The Israeli military said it struck a command center of the Islamic Jihad militant group.
Tens of thousands of people have sought shelter in Gaza’s hospitals, viewing them as relatively safe from airstrikes. Israel accuses Hamas and other militants of operating in and around medical facilities, which Gaza’s health officials deny.
Israeli troops have been raiding Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest, for nearly two weeks and say they have killed scores of fighters, including senior Hamas operatives. Gaza’s Health Ministry said more than 100 patients remain with no potable water and septic wounds, while doctors use plastic bags for gloves.
Not far from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, dozens of members of Gaza’s tiny Palestinian Christian community gathered at the Holy Family Church to celebrate Easter, with incense wafting through the rare building that appeared untouched by war.
“We are here with sadness,” attendee Winnie Tarazi said. About 600 people shelter in the compound.
GAZA’S DEATH TOLL NEARS 33,000 AND HUNGER GROWS
The United Nations and partners warn that famine could occur in devastated, largely isolated northern Gaza. Humanitarian officials say deliveries by sea and air are not enough and that Israel must allow far more aid by road. Egypt has said thousands of trucks are waiting.
Israel says it places no limits on deliveries of humanitarian aid. It has blamed the U.N. and other international agencies for the failure to distribute more aid.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said Sunday that at least 32,782 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war. The ministry’s count does not differentiate between civilians and fighters, but it has said that women and children make up around two-thirds of those killed.
Israel says over one-third of the dead are militants, though it has not provided evidence, and it blames Hamas for civilian casualties because the group operates in residential areas.
Amid concerns about a wider conflict in the region, Lebanese state media reported that an Israeli drone struck a car in the southern Lebanese town of Konin.
A Lebanese security official told The Associated Press that Hezbollah militant Ismail al-Zain was killed, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. Israel’s military called al-Zain a “significant commander.” Hezbollah confirmed the death.
Late Sunday, a Palestinian attacker stabbed three people in southern Israel, seriously wounding them, said the Hatzalah rescue service. Police said the attacker was shot, but gave no further details on his condition.
