Protestors gathered outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem on November 4, 2023. The demonstration took place amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. The protesters expressed their anger at the failures that led to the deadly attack by Hamas gunmen on communities around the Gaza Strip last month. The police had to hold back the crowd, which waved Israeli flags and chanted “Jail now!” The protest coincided with a poll showing that more than three quarters of Israelis believe Netanyahu should resign, highlighting the growing public fury towards their political and security leaders.
Netanyahu has not taken personal responsibility for the failures that allowed the surprise assault by Hamas gunmen on October 7. The attack resulted in the death of over 1,400 people and the hostage-taking of at least 240 individuals. As time has passed, public anger has intensified, particularly among the families of the hostages held in Gaza. They have been highly critical of the government’s response and have demanded the safe return of their relatives.
In Tel Aviv, thousands of people joined a demonstration, displaying flags and holding photographs of the captives in Gaza. They carried posters with slogans demanding the immediate release of the hostages at any cost. In response to the attack, Israel launched a significant air and ground offensive in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 9,000 people, according to health authorities in the Hamas-run area. The offensive also caused extensive destruction in large parts of the enclave.
Even before the war, Netanyahu had been a divisive figure, facing corruption charges that he denies and implementing a plan to limit the powers of the judiciary. This move sparked widespread protests with hundreds of thousands of people taking to the streets. The recent poll conducted by Israel’s Channel 13 Television revealed that 76% of Israelis believe Netanyahu should resign, and 64% think the country should hold an election immediately after the war. When asked about the responsibility for the attack, 44% of Israelis blamed Netanyahu, while 33% held the military chief of staff and senior IDF officials accountable, and 5% blamed the Defense Minister.
In conclusion, the protest outside Netanyahu’s residence reflects the growing public anger towards the failures that led to the Hamas attack. The demand for Netanyahu’s resignation is supported by a significant majority of Israelis. The ongoing conflict and its aftermath have further intensified public frustration, with many calling for the safe return of the hostages held in Gaza. The situation has also highlighted the divisive nature of Netanyahu’s leadership, as demonstrated by the corruption charges and the controversial plan to curb the powers of the judiciary.
