Conflict Alerts # 668, 5 September 2024
Ayan Datta In the news
On 2 September, Israel’s largest labour organisation, the Histadrut Labour Federation, held a countrywide general strike against the government’s failure to rescue six Israeli hostages killed in Gaza. Railway companies, small businesses, technology firms, manufacturing firms, private sector workers, lawyers and university staff joined the strike.
On the same day, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked forgiveness for failing to bring back the hostages. However, he opposed the protesters, stating: “No one is more committed to freeing the hostages than me. But no one will preach to me.” He added: “What message would it (hostage deal) send Hamas…Slay hostages, and you’ll get concessions?” He emphasised Israel’s need to control the Philadelphi Corridor connecting Gaza with Egypt, calling it Hamas’ “oxygen.” Additionally, far-right Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich and Minister of Public Security Itamar Ben-Gvir supported Netanyahu for “standing firm against our enemies and for (delivering) clear messages to the Israeli public.”
On the same day, protesters demonstrated outside Netanyahu’s house and the Likud Party headquarters, lighting bonfires and chanting slogans, including, “Stop the war. Free Gaza from Hamas, free us from Bibi.” The police arrested multiple protesters and assaulted journalists.
On the same day, Israel’s Minster of Defence, Yoav Gallant, criticised the government for prioritising IDF control of the Philadelphi Corridor over a hostage deal, calling the move “a moral disgrace.”
On 1 September, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) recovered six hostages’ bodies from tunnels under Gaza’s Rafah city. On the same day, Israel’s opposition leader, Yair Lapid, called a nationwide general strike to pressure the government to reach a hostage rescue deal. Later in the day, massive crowds gathered in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, and Eilat. The protesters marched to the IDF Headquarters, chanting: “We want them back alive,” “(Ceasefire) Now! Now!” They carried symbolic coffins and wore yellow ribbons to honour the hostages. Lior Rudaeff, son of a hostage, said: “If you hadn’t sabotaged a deal again and again…who were murdered in captivity would be here today with us, alive.”
Separately, protesters blocked Israel’s Ayalon Highway. The demonstrators lit fires, set off fireworks, and placed sharp objects on the road. Israel’s police declared the demonstrations illegal, arresting 30 protesters. The police used water cannons, tear gas and stun grenades to disperse the protesters.
Issues at large
First, the mounting pressure on Netanyahu. According to Israel’s Channel 12, public pressure on Netanyahu is growing, with 44 per cent of Israelis believing that he should resign and 64 per cent favouring a hostage deal. According to the Times of Israel, the protesters included Israel’s highly influential public sector workers. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which represents the relatives of Israeli captives, also enjoy popular support. The protests began in Tel Aviv but soon expanded to key Israeli cities, including the port city of Haifa and the strategically crucial city of Jerusalem.
Second, the government’s response. For Netanyahu and his far-right ministers, the protesters were helping Hamas by advocating a ceasefire before the IDF could eliminate the armed group. Although the protests have been largely peaceful, the police violently dispersed the crowds if they damaged public property or obstructed roads. Furthermore, the government refused to pay railway workers who went on strike.
Third, Netanyahu’s resistance. The far-right parties, Smotrich’s Religious Zionism and Ben Gvir’s Jewish Power, control 14 out of 64 seats in Netanyahu’s coalition, making them essential for the latter’s majority in the 120-seat Knesset. According to Al Jazeera, both far-right leaders have threatened to withdraw their support if Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire, making it unlikely that he would accept the protesters’ demands.
Fourth, Netanyahu and the far-right. For Netanyahu, Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, destroying Hamas takes priority over rescuing hostages, conceding the Philadelphi Corridor would give the armed group incentives to kill more hostages, and Israel’s new demand of controlling the Corridor was necessary to prevent Hamas from reconstituting its forces. For Gallant, opposition parties and protesters, Netanyahu should agree to a ceasefire-hostage exchange deal and rescue the remaining captives because Hamas cannot be destroyed. Furthermore, they believe the Israeli leader introduced new demands to prolong his stint in office and should resign.
In perspective
With massive participation from labour unions, the ongoing protests will likely contribute to Netanyahu’s declining popularity. However, with national elections scheduled in 2026, opposition parties’ failed demands for an early election, and Netanyahu’s staunch far-right support base, the protests are unlikely to change Netanyahu’s endgames and priorities.