- Allegations suggest Netanyahu prolonged Gaza war for political gain
- Public discontent rises; security forces used to quell protests
- Majority disapproves Netanyahu’s handling of Gaza conflict
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing allegations that he prolonged the catastrophic war on Gaza by six months to maintain power, as well as impeding an agreement with Hamas to repatriate Israeli captives from Gaza.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators are demanding early elections as they and some Israeli officials grow weary of the prime minister’s performance. Wednesday witnessed an increase in the use of force by Israeli security forces to disperse demonstrators in the vicinity of the prime minister’s residence.
The Israeli Democracy Institute’s most recent survey indicates that 57 per cent of the Israeli public considers Netanyahu’s performance since the beginning of the conflict to be “poor” or “very poor.” This finding is consistent with the escalating demonstrations in Israel.
“The general public believes Netanyahu is unfit to lead and is motivated solely by his political survival strategies,” said Mairav Zonszein, an expert on Israel and Palestine at the non-profit International Crisis Group, which is committed to resolving global conflicts.
“The government should be replaced, according to former security officials and the families of hostages alike.” All of them desire elections.”
“Unrealistic Expectations”
However, experts claim that while the majority of individuals desire Netanyahu’s removal, very few support ending the conflict in Gaza.
Since an October 7 attack by Hamas’ Qassam Brigades on Israeli communities and military outposts, which resulted in 1,139 deaths and approximately 250 captures, the majority of the Israeli public has regarded the organisation as an existential menace to Israel.
A 74-year-old former Israeli army officer who served in the 1967 war, Natan Gershoni, stated, “I consider Hamas to be a terrible organisation, but Netanyahu is not doing everything he can to eliminate them.”
“At this time, I refuse to compromise on rescuing the hostages; only then can we resolve the situation in Gaza.”
Hamas put forth a proposal on March 15, which called for the release of the remaining Israeli captives, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the repatriation of hundreds of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons, the repatriation of Palestinians displaced south by Israel to northern Gaza, and a permanent cessation of hostilities.
The demands were reportedly deemed “unrealistic” by Netanyahu, who rejected the proposal; however, Zonszein believes he is attempting to sabotage an armistice to maintain power as long as the country is at war.
“The primary concern is that Netanyahu emphasises the ongoing conflict.” “Also, there is greater potential to extend the ceasefire and redirect efforts towards investigations and elections as soon as it is established”.
His far-right coalition could potentially hinder Netanyahu’s progress, specifically National Security Minister Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who have reportedly issued threats to withdraw from Netanyahu’s coalition should Israel reach an agreement with Hamas that they consider unfavourable.
Inciting a public backlash, Smotrich has even stated that rescuing the hostages was “not the most important thing.”
The views of Israel’s military cabinet are more diverse. Former military chief Gadi Eizenkot, whose son was killed battling in Gaza, is a member of the war cabinet advocating for Israeli captives and their families. Ensuring the release of Israeli captives via a negotiation should take precedence over the execution of senior Hamas leaders, he emphasised.
However, Eizenkot’s ability to exert pressure is constrained because neither he nor Benny Gantz, another former army chief who exhibits clemency towards Israeli captives, possess a majority in parliament. As a result, their withdrawal from the war cabinet would not compel an election.
This could only be accomplished by Smotrich or Gvir withdrawing from Netanyahu’s coalition. This would necessitate an election in Israel in three months and, according to recent surveys, place Netanyahu’s popularity at an all-time low.
Despite this strain, Netanyahu reportedly recently granted his delegation negotiating greater flexibility with Hamas in Cairo, Egypt. As part of an agreement that would award the remaining Israeli detainees, Israeli officials are now amenable to the return of Palestinians in Gaza to the northern enclave.
An Israeli journalist and commentator for the progressive Israeli news outlet 972 Magazine that Netanyahu ultimately intends to prolong the war in Gaza.
He further stated that Netanyahu has asserted that it is detrimental to the “war effort” to demand an immediate agreement to retrieve Israeli captives from Gaza.
Ziv stated, “Netanyahu’s [rhetoric] has inspired the overwhelming majority of [family members of captives] to join the anti-government protests.”
“No option”
According to Israeli political commentator Ori Goldberg, although the majority of Israelis continue to assert support for the fighting in Gaza, they are exhausted from the conflict.
He said that opposition to the war in Israel is still socially and politically unacceptable but that Israelis would accept a truce if they could justify it as their “only option” to retrieve the captives.
“Israelis perceive or hear Israel’s policies interpreted as indications of the country’s existential constrainedness,” he stated.
“The Israeli people are generally opposed to the war, but they will accept it if they are convinced they have no choice due to international pressure or the prime minister’s eventual concession to return the hostages.”
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Goldberg further stated that throughout the previous temporary truce, which was mediated in November and resulted in the liberation of 240 Palestinian prisoners and 105 Israeli captives, a collective “sigh of relief” was heard by many Israelis.
He held the belief that a significant number of Israeli protesters would attempt to justify the continuation of hostilities by asserting that they exerted pressure on Netanyahu to agree to a captive agreement.
Benny Gantz, Netanyahu’s principal rival, might also resign from the war cabinet in response to an agreement contingent on the return of Israeli captives and the establishment of a ceasefire. This would necessitate an early election, which Gantz is expected to secure.
However, according to Zonszein of ICG, a significant number of Israeli demonstrators may demand an earlier election if they believe Netanyahu is incapable of or unwilling to return the remaining captives.
“Many Israelis simply believe that Netanyahu will not fulfil their demands. “They simply want elections to replace him because they believe Gantz will be capable of de-escalating the situation to some degree and securing a hostage deal”.
“The majority of Israelis simply desire Netanyahu’s departure.”
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