PROTESTS, POLITICAL STALEMATE AND THE OCCUPATION OF GAZA
The MED This Week newsletter provides informed insights on the most significant developments in the MENA region, bringing together unique opinions and reliable foresight on future scenarios. Today, we shed light on the many domestic rifts faced by the Israeli government.
Protests are once again sweeping across Israel, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of hostages held by Hamas. Public demonstrations against the Netanyahu government are not new: since October 7 tens of thousands of protestors have mobilized in support of the hostages’ families. Yet, over the past week public mobilization has surged, culminating on August 17, when an unprecedented 500,000 Israelis participated in the protests and general strike. The demonstrations intensified after Israel’s security cabinet decided to occupy Gaza City on August 8. However, despite their size, the protests have not shifted Netanyahu and his allies’ approach to the war. On the contrary, government members accuse demonstrators of aiding Hamas, while pushing forward plans for a massive assault on Gaza City. Meanwhile, no progress has been made toward a new ceasefire agreement, despite public opinion polls consistently showing that a majority of Israelis support such deal. Nonetheless, opposition to Netanyahu’s approach is not limited to the public. The military establishment has also warned that retaking Gaza City would create a “death trap” for soldiers, while further jeopardizing the hostages. For this reason, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF)’s Chief of Staff urged Netanyahu to accept the latest ceasefire proposal. However, Netanyahu appears to prioritize his political and personal interests, seeking to preserve his already fragile coalition, a task made more urgent after Ultra-Orthodox parties UTJ and Shas quit the government in late July over the controversial Ultra-Orthodox exemption from the army draft. As a result, Netanyahu has delayed decisions, effectively buying time. On Tuesday, August 26, the members of the security cabinet met to decide on a ceasefire, but the meeting was far too brief to reach any conclusion, as its 12 members – including Netanyahu – were scheduled to attend celebrations with settlers following the approval of the E1 settlement plan between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim. While they celebrated, another 300,000 Israelis once again took to the streets to protest their decisions.
Experts from the ISPI network discuss Israel’s domestic fractures.
