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Ran Porat

The Israeli public is once again expressing its frustration over the government’s failure to secure the release of hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza.
Hundreds of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across the country over the past week, with some gathering outside the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the US embassy. The first nationwide strike since last October’s Hamas attack also brought the country to a standstill.
The spark for the protests was the discovery of the bodies of six hostages who had been executed by Hamas shortly before Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) located them. On Monday, Netanyahu issued a rare apology to the families.
The relationship between the Israeli public and the government appears to have reached a new low.
So, how will Netanyahu respond?
The protests reflect long-standing discontent in Israel since the most right-wing government in the country’s history was formed in January 2023.
Throughout much of last year, protesters marched over the government’s proposals to reform the judicial system, which aimed to limit the power of Israel’s Supreme Court.

Following Hamas’ October 7 terror attack on southern Israel, the families of the hostages have held regular rallies demanding the government do everything possible, including making painful concessions to Hamas as part of ceasefire negotiations, to bring them home.
On October 7, Hamas kidnapped about 250 men, women and children. More than 100 were freed during a hostage-prisoner exchange in November. Around 100 are still believed to be in captivity, including about 35 who are thought to be dead.
Endless rounds of ceasefire negotiations since the start of the war – mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar – have yielded few results.
After months of wrangling, the US is planning to present both sides with what it calls a “take it or leave it” deal in the coming weeks.
Hamas is insisting on a complete Israeli withdrawal from all of Gaza as part of the agreement, while Israel is demanding an ongoing IDF presence in two corridors in the enclave.
While mediators had hoped a compromise was achievable, Netanyahu recently hardened his stance. Last week, the security cabinet backed his position demanding the IDF remain stationed in the Philadelphi Corridor, a buffer zone between Egypt and Gaza, in any ceasefire deal. This comes after Netanyahu reportedly clashed with the country’s top security chiefs, who had urged him to accept a deal.


Politically, the prime minister is between a rock and a hard place. His coalition partners, far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, are threatening to bring down the government if Netanyahu accepts what they call a “promiscuous” deal with Hamas that does not guarantee a “complete victory” in the war. Both are leading figures in a fringe settler group with grandiose visions of Jewish resettlement in the Gaza Strip.
At the same time, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, a fierce Netanyahu rival, has blamed him for deliberately sabotaging any chance of a hostage deal to secure his own political survival.
Gallant argues a ceasefire is the only way to release the hostages and end the Gaza war so the IDF can mobilise against the dramatic threat from the north – Hezbollah, the Iranian terrorist proxy positioned along the Lebanese border.
Since October 7, roughly 60,000 Israelis living near the border have become refugees in their own country due to non-stop Hezbollah attacks. Around 100,000 people have also been displaced in Lebanon.
The government’s failure to prioritise the lives of hostages above all else has been compounded by insensitivity from top officials. Netanyahu was even quoted in July saying, “the hostages are suffering but not dying.”
In recent weeks, it has become painfully clear that Netanyahu was wrong. The discovery of more bodies of hostages inside Gaza shocked Israelis. The final straw came on August 31 when IDF soldiers uncovered the bodies of the six hostages slain by Hamas. The outrage grew even more when it was revealed some of the young men and women were reportedly scheduled to be released in the ceasefire proposal discussed weeks ago.

The mass protests are evidence that many in Israel feel abandoned by their own government, which they believe has betrayed the Jewish moral imperative, Kol Yisrael arevim zeh lazeh, “All of Israel is responsible for one another”.
The Histadrut, the umbrella organisation of Israeli labour unions, called a nationwide strike on Monday to “shake those who need to be shaken”. The government was granted an injunction to stop the strike, but not before the airport, schools and banks were shut, affecting much of the Israeli economy.
Despite the outpouring of emotion on the street, Netanyahu is unlikely to change course. Backed by his base and encouraged by some conservative pollsters suggesting he is slowly regaining popularity among right-wing voters, he probably has more to lose from making concessions now to Hamas than from striking a deal.
Scheduled elections are at least two years away. Early elections could only be triggered if five members of the governing coalition join the opposition in a no-confidence vote, but this is unlikely because it would end their political careers. His chief rivals also lack a clear majority to bring down the government on their own.
In the background, the ongoing trial against Netanyahu for alleged corruption, fraud and breach of trust still looms large.
Regardless of all this, Netanyahu may well sincerely believe that his policies, though unpopular, will weaken Hamas and prevent another October 7 massacre.
Meanwhile, hopes for the families of the hostages are fading quickly, amid nationwide anguish. Healing the deep wounds within Israeli society and the national psyche following October 7 cannot begin until this painful chapter is closed. Such a process is also a crucial precondition for any progress towards peace between the Jewish state and the Palestinians.
Dr Ran Porat is an affiliate Research Associate at the Australian Centre for Jewish Civilisation. He teaches and lectures about Middle Eastern history, conflict studies and Israel studies at Monash University and across Australia. This article was first published by The Conversation.




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Israel

Netanyahu’s failure to secure Hamas hostages’ release has Israel in uproar

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing a crisis over a failed hostage rescue, as mass protests rock the nation. Photo: TNS

Israeli protesters demonstrate outside the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. Photo: dpa

People gather behind a mock coffin during a protest in Jerusalem, Israel, on Monday. Photo: dpa

Biden says Netanyahu not doing enough to secure Gaza hostage deal, as a pact nears completion

Pressure is mounting on both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) and US President Joe Biden to secure remaining captives’ release. Photo: AP

Biden criticised Netanyahu for insufficient efforts on hostage release, as US negotiators near a deal with Hamas. Photo: Reuters

US says ‘time to finalise’ Gaza deal after Israeli hostage deaths

People hold placards as they protest against the government and to show support for hostages in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Demonstrators embrace each other in front of a banner depicting Israeli PM Netanyahu in a submarine torpedoing the hostage deal during a protest in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

Gaza war: Israelis strike to demand Netanyahu agrees to a ceasefire and hostage release

Family, friends and supporters of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas in Gaza take part in a protest, a day after the discovery of the bodies of six hostages in the Gaza Strip. Photo: dpa

Amid rising anger over the deaths of six hostages found in Gaza, Israelis are staging large-scale strikes and protests, demanding Prime Minister Netanyahu secure their release and agree to a ceasefire. Photo: dpa

Passengers wait for flights at the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv during a nationwide strike on September 2. Photo: AFP

Netanyahu seeks ‘forgiveness’ for not saving Israeli hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a news conference in Jerusalem on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Protesters supporting the families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, outside the residence of Netanyahu in Jerusalem on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

A Palestinian refugee walks in a narrow alley at Beirut Burj al-Barjneh camp decorated with a poster of Abu Obeida, spokesman of Hamas armed wing Al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza. Photo: dpa

Mourners attend the funeral of US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Jerusalem, Israel on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Rachel and Jon Goldberg-Polin, the parents of US-Israeli hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, at his funeral in Jerusalem on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

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The discovery of executed hostages sparked outrage, with many feeling abandoned by a government prioritising political survival over their safety


The discovery of executed hostages sparked outrage, with many feeling abandoned by a government prioritising political survival over their safety.


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Opinion | Netanyahu’s failure to secure Hamas hostages’ release has Israel in uproar

The discovery of executed hostages sparked outrage, with many feeling abandoned by a government prioritising political survival over their safety