Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced widespread criticism and protests outside the Knesset in Jerusalem after he resumed the war in Gaza, shattering a two-month-old ceasefire with Hamas.
Thousands of protesters gathered on Highway 1, holding banners reading “The future of the coalition or the future of Israel.” They accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over the security of his country and the lives of Palestinian hostages.
The violence marked one of the war’s deadliest days, with over 400 people killed and hundreds injured. The Israeli military said it launched targeted ground activities in Gaza, partially recapturing a key area.
Netanyahu’s decision to break the ceasefire has helped shore up his coalition amid an ongoing corruption trial and ahead of a key vote on Israel’s budget. However, many Israelis are frustrated with the renewed fighting and feel that Netanyahu is sacrificing their values for political gain.
Recent polling shows that over 70% of Israelis supported negotiating with Hamas for an end to the fighting and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Instead, Netanyahu has chosen to continue the war, sparking concerns about how an already divided society will fare.
Critics, including opposition leader Yair Lapid and a legal watchdog, say Netanyahu is using the war as a pretext to maintain his grip on power and undermine democracy. The opposition leader stated that the bill approved by the Knesset committee would politicize the selection of judges, allowing politicians to control the judiciary.
Despite the protests, some Israelis continue to support Netanyahu’s actions, believing he is acting in Israel’s best interest. However, many more are concerned about the impact on Israeli democracy and the lives of Palestinian hostages.
Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing, but critics say his actions demonstrate a clear disregard for the values and principles that underpin Israel’s democracy.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/19/middleeast/israel-gaza-netanyahu-protest-war-resume-intl/index.html