IRIA News

5 minute read

Thousands of Israelis took to the streets on September 1, 2024, to protest against the government. The protests were ignited by the tragic discovery of six hostages’ bodies in the Gaza Strip.

The protests, sweeping across cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Haifa, underscored growing public outrage and frustration with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, which many accuse of failing to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas since the October 7 attacks.

The protests, described as the largest since the recent conflict began, were predominantly peaceful but marked by intense emotions. Demonstrators, many wrapped in Israeli flags, voiced their anger and sorrow, demanding immediate action from the government. The slogan “Alive, alive, we want them alive” resonated throughout the streets, a stark reminder of the public’s desperation to see the remaining hostages brought home safely.

In Tel Aviv, thousands of protesters broke through police barriers, taking over the Ayalon Highway, one of the city’s main arteries. Some protesters climbed on top of buses and trash bins to gain a better view, while others burned tires and set up makeshift barricades, draping yellow ribbons across the road.

In Jerusalem, the protests took on a particularly intense tone, with a massive crowd gathering outside the Prime Minister’s office. Opposition leader Yair Lapid, a former prime minister and head of the Yesh Atid party, joined the protesters, signaling his support for the strike and the growing movement demanding a resolution to the hostage crisis.

#Netanyahu is getting into more and more trouble!

Protests in #Israel after the military found the bodies of six hostages in Gaza.

The demonstrators are demanding that the authorities immediately release the hostages held by Hamas. pic.twitter.com/59r2x5MXUI

— Boris Alexander Beissner (@boris_beissner) September 1, 2024

The situation grew tense as police deployed stun grenades in an attempt to disperse the crowd. Naama Lazimi, a Labor Party lawmaker, described the protests as “significant and important,” though she expressed concern about the future, questioning what actions would follow this surge of public dissent.

The discovery of the six bodies, identified as Carmel Gat, Eden Yerushalmi, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, Alexander Lobanov, Almog Sarusi, and Master Sgt. Ori Danino has intensified calls for a comprehensive deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that the hostages were found in an underground tunnel in the Rafah area of southern Gaza and had been killed shortly before Israeli troops reached them. The news sent shockwaves through the nation, with many seeing it as a grim indicator of the fate that might await the other captives if immediate action is not taken.

The Hostages Families Forum, representing the families of those taken by Hamas, released a statement condemning the delay in reaching a deal. “The delay in signing the deal has led to their deaths and those of many other hostages,” the group stated. The forum has been advocating for weeks for a nationwide strike to pressure the government into negotiating a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, believing that such a deal is the only way to ensure the safe return of their loved ones.

Sunday’s protests were further fueled by the announcement of a nationwide general strike, called for by Histadrut, Israel’s largest labor union. The strike, which could bring the country to a standstill, is being seen as a direct challenge to Netanyahu’s leadership. Arnon Bar-David, the union’s leader, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “We must reach a deal. A deal is more important than anything else.” He went on to criticize the government’s handling of the situation, saying, “We are getting body bags instead of a deal.”

The strike has garnered support from various quarters, including Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai, who announced that city municipal workers were free to participate as a show of solidarity with the hostages’ families. However, it has also faced criticism from members of Netanyahu’s coalition, with far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich condemning the strike as serving “the interests of Hamas.”

The hostage situation remains one of the most sensitive and pressing issues in Israel since the outbreak of the conflict with Hamas. On October 7, Hamas militants launched a coordinated attack on southern Israel, kidnapping 251 people and killing over 1,200. The subsequent military campaign by Israel has led to significant casualties in Gaza, with over 40,530 people reported dead according to Hamas-run health authorities.

Netanyahu, under increasing pressure, has vowed to secure a deal that would ensure the release of the hostages while maintaining Israel’s security. However, the delay in reaching such a deal and the tragic deaths of the six hostages have eroded public confidence in his leadership. As the nation braces for the general strike, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether Netanyahu can navigate this crisis and address the growing demands for decisive action.