32K Dead, 1,160 Captive: Israel Revolts Against PM Netanyahu

Thousands of anti-government protesters gathered outside the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on Sunday evening demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This marked the second consecutive day of protests and clashes with police.

The protesters, waving Israeli flags and setting fires, called for Netanyahu to step down and for the release of hostages held by the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 attacks.

The anger against the Prime Minister has reached a boiling point as many blame him for the government’s handling of the situation.

Dana Rabfogel Shor, a 44-year-old protester from Tel Aviv, expressed her frustration, stating, “People are furious, they are tired, they want elections.

They blame Bibi (Netanyahu) and the government for not taking responsibility.” She held up a photo of her distant cousin, Itay Svirsky, who was killed in the October 7 attack.

Hagai Levin, a doctor working with the families of those held captive in Gaza, emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “The government should work to secure their release, and if they are unable to do so, perhaps someone else can. We need a functioning government.”

Protesters demanded immediate action and called for a new leadership, with one demonstrator, Raphael Malinovize, stating, “Bibi Netanyahu is not fit for this job, he has been pulling the country down for years. He must be replaced immediately.”

The rally saw a mix of protesters calling for government change and families of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

They announced their intention to continue protesting in Jerusalem in the coming days.

As the demonstration unfolded, Netanyahu held a press conference warning against holding elections during a time of war, arguing it would paralyze the country and hinder negotiations for the release of hostages.

The ongoing conflict was triggered by a deadly attack from Hamas on October 7 in Israel, resulting in numerous casualties and hostages.

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, labeling the group as a terrorist organization, alongside the United States and the European Union.

The retaliatory offensive by Israel has resulted in a high death toll, with the latest figures from the Hamas Health Ministry reporting over 32,000 casualties, predominantly women and children.

Source: Defi Media