Israeli citizens held a protest on Wednesday outside the Parliament building in Jerusalem. The demonstration aimed to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions, which are perceived as undermining the country’s democracy, as well as push for a renewed cease-fire agreement with Hamas to bring home remaining hostages in Gaza.
This protest is a response to recent events, including Israel’s deadly aerial strikes on the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, which ended a temporary truce with Hamas that had started in January. The sense of national unity that initially surrounded the conflict in Gaza on October 7, 2023 – sparked by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel – now shows signs of weakening.
Accusations are growing in Israel that Netanyahu’s priorities are his political survival and strengthening his right-wing government before a crucial budget vote later this month. The protesters closed the main highway into Jerusalem and marched into the city in scenes reminiscent of previous social and political turmoil over the government’s plans to limit the judiciary’s powers. This internal conflict was previously seen as a vulnerability for Israel and may have encouraged its enemies.
The initial call for protests came after Netanyahu announced his plan to dismiss the head of Israel’s domestic intelligence agency due to a lack of personal trust between them. This has ignited public concerns about the government’s efforts to diminish the power of state watchdogs and appoint drink holders based on loyalty.
The centrist leader of Israel’s parliamentary opposition, Yair Lapid, urged citizens to join the protests through a social media post, emphasizing unity and the need for change.
Netanyahu stated that the surprise attack on Gaza was the beginning of a campaign to pressure Hamas into releasing more hostages, following weeks of unsuccessful negotiations. From now on, he declared that Israel would intensify its military action against Hamas and would only negotiate “under fire.”
Rawan Sheikh Ahmad contributed reporting from Haifa, Israel.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/19/world/middleeast/israel-protests-hamas-gaza-strikes.html
