Israelis gathered on Wednesday outside the Parliament building in Jerusalem to protest actions by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which they claim undermine the country's democracy. The demonstrators also called for a renewed cease-fire deal for Gaza to facilitate the return of remaining hostages.
This public outcry follows deadly aerial attacks conducted by Israel across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, which ended a temporary truce with Hamas that had been in place since January. The atmosphere of national solidarity that emerged after the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, appears to be diminishing.
Accusations are growing in Israel that Netanyahu's focus is on political survival and reinforcing his right-wing government ahead of an important budget vote later this month. During the morning hours, protesters shut down the main highway into Jerusalem as they marched into the city, reminiscent of the social and political unrest experienced prior to the war over government plans to limit the judiciary's powers.
Israeli security experts previously indicated that internal conflict had contributed to the country's vulnerability and emboldened its adversaries.
The protests were prompted by Netanyahu's announcement to dismiss the head of Israel's domestic intelligence agency, citing a lack of personal trust. This move has raised public concerns about the government's renewed attempts to diminish the power of state oversight bodies and make appointments perceived as loyalty-driven.
Yair Lapid, the centrist leader of Israel’s parliamentary opposition, urged citizens to join the protests in a social media post on Wednesday morning, stating, "This government does not stop at red." He called for unity among the populace, emphasizing the need for collective action to address the current situation.
In response to the situation in Gaza, Netanyahu characterized the surprise attack on Tuesday as the beginning of a campaign to pressure Hamas into releasing more hostages after weeks of unproductive negotiations. He declared that Israel would intensify military actions against Hamas, asserting that negotiations would only occur "under fire."