Israeli mothers slam Netanyahu for treating soldiers as expendables

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: The Jerusalem Post
30 May 2024 22:25
1 Shares

Reports of division within "Israel" have surfaced, highlighting the rebellion of mothers who are expressing their discontent with the government and the use of soldiers as "cannon fodder".

Listen

Hundreds of Israelis pushed through police barriers around Netanyahu's residence in al-Quds on 4 November 2023. (X)

Reports of division within "Israel" have extended to mothers who are voicing their discontent with the ongoing war on Gaza, according to Elana Sztokman, an American sociologist, writer, and Jewish feminist activist, in an opinion piece published by The Jerusalem Post.

As the majority of Israelis, they expressed frustration with the "cycle of violence," political agendas, and what they describe as a sacrifice of their children's lives, as per the piece.

They also criticize what they perceive as the lack of direction and the perceived self-interest of political leaders, particularly the prime minister, it added.

According to Sztokman's view, Israeli mothers from diverse political backgrounds are uniting under a common belief that recent events, particularly the decision to invade Rafah despite international warnings and pleas for humanitarian consideration, have ignited a groundswell of dissent.

'Nothing veers Netanyahu from his path'

The formation of the "Parents of Soldiers Screaming Enough!" group underscores a disturbing shift for the government, challenging the traditional expectation of military obedience from parents, Sztokman asserted.

Their protests, including demonstrations at ministers' residences and hospitals, signal a departure from the once-accepted silence. Central to their message is a loss of trust in the Israeli army and political leadership, Sztokman acknowledged.

Slamming Netanyahu for going after political wins and his own political agenda, she maintained being fed up with what she called "endless violence" and "mindless escalations".

"And still, Netanyahu seems unmoved. Nothing touches him. Not dead hostages. Not dead soldiers. Not dead Gazans. Not threats of losing American aid. Not the rising tides of antisemitism on college campuses. Not the irreparable damage to American political culture. Not even threats of being arrested by the International Criminal Court. Nothing veers him from his path," she gushed.

Sztokman emphasized that if "Israel" keeps dismissing worldwide pro-Palestinian protests as mere "antisemitism" and claiming that "Israel" is solely acting in "self-defense", then more death on all sides would be the result, warning against "ushering in a despotic future for Israel and parts of the rest of the world."

"The threats to democracy here and abroad are real. And that will be unhealthy for Jews and other living things," she concluded.