Israel Sees Widespread Protests Over Gaza Hostages and Netanyahu's Governance

What Happened?

Tens of thousands of Israelis have protested in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, calling for the government to secure a ceasefire deal that would free Israeli captives held by Hamas in Gaza.
The protesters are also demanding early elections to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which has faced widespread criticism over the security failure of the October 7 Hamas attack.
Netanyahu has rejected the suggestion of holding elections during the war, saying it would paralyze hostage negotiations and bring a premature end to the conflict in Gaza.
The protests have been growing in size as the war has dragged on and anger at Netanyahu’s government has mounted.
Police have used water cannons and made arrests to disperse some of the protesters.

What is the Arab media saying?

Anti-government protesters in Jerusalem are calling for Netanyahu’s government to resign and a general election. [yalibnan.com]
Tens of thousands of Israelis have marched in Jerusalem, calling for increased efforts to free captives held in Gaza and the removal of Netanyahu. [aljazeera.com]
The protest is in response to the deadly October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the ensuing war in Gaza. [yalibnan.com]
The protesters want a more equal share in the burden of army service that binds most Israelis, as around 600 soldiers have been killed since the Hamas attack. [yalibnan.com]
Netanyahu’s cabinet has faced widespread criticism over the security failure of the Hamas attack, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage. [yalibnan.com]
The protesters are waving blue and white Israeli flags and chanting “elections now”, calling for a new election to replace the government. [yalibnan.com]
In Tel Aviv, some families of hostages and their supporters blocked a main highway, protesting against Netanyahu’s failure to return their loved ones. [yalibnan.com]

What is the International media saying?

Tens of thousands of people across Israel joined the families of hostages to protest against the government and call for Netanyahu’s removal. [theguardian.com]
The protesters demanded the release of those still held captive in Gaza and labelled Netanyahu an “obstacle to the deal”, vowing to persist until he leaves power. [theguardian.com]
Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered around the Knesset, demanding elections and an agreement with Hamas to release hostages in Gaza. [lemonde.fr, timesofindia.indiatimes.com]
Protest groups, including some that led the mass demonstrations that rocked Israel in 2023, also demanded a more equal share in the burden of army service. [timesofindia.indiatimes.com]
Netanyahu has faced widespread criticism over the security failure of the Hamas attack in which 1,200 people were killed and over 250 taken hostage. [timesofindia.indiatimes.com]
Israel’s war in Gaza has aggravated a longstanding source of friction in society – exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students from military service. [timesofindia.indiatimes.com]
Netanyahu said he was confident a solution will be found, and that an election at the height of war would paralyze the country for months. [timesofindia.indiatimes.com]
Netanyahu is entering the most precarious week for his coalition since the war began as a deadline is reached to end the exemption for ultra-Orthodox men from military conscription. [theguardian.com]

What is the Israeli media saying?

Anti-government protesters gathered at the Knesset in Jerusalem, demanding that Netanyahu resign and agree to early elections amid the war in Gaza. [jns.org, ynet.co.il, israelhayom.co.il]
The protesters also urged Netanyahu to accept a hostages-for-ceasefire agreement with Hamas. [jns.org]
The protest was organized by left-wing groups, including Brothers in Arms and the Kaplan Force, who called for the people to mobilize and save the State of Israel. [jns.org]
Netanyahu rejected the suggestion of holding elections during the war, saying it would paralyze hostage negotiations and bring a premature end to the war in Gaza. [jns.org]
Protests demanding early elections are taking place across Israel in response to the government’s handling of the October 7th massacre. [ynet.co.il, israelhayom.co.il, maariv.co.il]
Protesters accuse Netanyahu of failing to protect the 133 hostages held by Hamas and say he has no public or moral mandate to make such crucial decisions for Israel. [ynet.co.il, israelhayom.co.il]
Protests are planned for every evening throughout the week, with the participation of public figures, bereaved families, hostage families, reserve soldiers, artists, and others. [ynet.co.il]
Yair Lapid, the leader of the opposition, attacked Netanyahu, saying “There is only one thing that matters to Netanyahu – to stay in office. To cling to the corners of the office. Let the country burn, as long as the office remains.” [israelhayom.co.il]

Media Sources

Israel Sees Widespread Protests Over Gaza Hostages and Netanyahu’s Governance