Latest situation in Israel: Support for the war is increasing

Following the Israeli army's announcement that it had recovered the bodies of six Israeli hostages in Gaza, anger against the Netanyahu Government has intensified. The protests held last Sunday were recorded as the most massive demonstrations since October 7, with hundreds of thousands of Israelis participating.

Speaking to Evrensel, Israeli journalist Oren Ziv said, "Many people have joined a group of activists and hostage families who have been taking more radical actions from the beginning and have been saying for months that military pressure would not free the hostages. There were large-scale protests in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and other cities. Police violence and the fact that people were prepared to clash with the police were influential. The protests continued on Monday. The labor union Histadrut declared a general strike, but the strike was carried out partially and was halted by the court." 

UNWILLING TO REACH AN AGREEMENT

Israeli journalist Ziv stated that Netanyahu and his allies are unwilling to reach an agreement in order to maintain control in Gaza and avoid releasing Palestinian prisoners, adding, "Instead, it has reached a point where they are prepared to sacrifice the hostages." 

NO UNITY 

Ziv said that while anger in Israel is high, there is no unity among the actions. It was stated that there is a segment among the hostage families that "follows a more moderate and official line" and a "more radical" segment, and whether these segments will unite with anti-government protesters is critical.

Haaretz newspaper columnist Amos Harel said, "The Hostages and Missing Families Forum was afraid of being associated with Netanyahu's opponents. However, it has long been clear that the prime minister is not interested in a deal. Many people who participated in the protests against the judicial coup before the war are finding it difficult to go out and protest while their relatives and friends are fighting in Gaza." 

NETANYAHU IS NOT DISTURBED BY THIS SITUATION

Journalist Oren Ziv stated that he does not think the protests will lead to the fall of the Netanyahu Government in the near future and continued his words as follows: "For now, it seems that Netanyahu is not disturbed by this situation. Even the army has said that most of the hostages cannot be saved. I do not think the government will fall anytime soon."

SUPPORT RATES FOR THE WAR ARE VERY HIGH

In the report by Evrensel, it was also stated that support rates for the war in Israeli society are high. It was noted that extreme positions regarding the war have become popular among Israeli Jews and that support for a two-state solution has declined. It was emphasized that in polls conducted in recent weeks, Likud's support rate has increased and Netanyahu is once again in the lead.