Israelis start 'Day of Disruption' anti-government protests in al-Quds

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
20 May 2024 11:32

Israeli media report that a large demonstration is expected to be held in front of the Knesset at 5 pm.

Relatives and supporters of the Israeli captives call for their release during a protest in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (AFP)

Israeli anti-government protesters launched a 'Day of Disruption' in and around occupied al-Quds on Monday to coincide with the opening of the Knesset's summer session.

The rallies, joined by families of captives, will include vehicle convoys and road blockings.

The Israeli police had earlier announced in a statement this morning that they arrested twelve protesters who, according to the police, planned to block Route 1 – the main route leading to al-Quds, by setting vehicles on fire.

A large demonstration is expected to be held in front of the Knesset building at 5 pm today.

Israeli media reported on Saturday that families of captives held by the Resistance in Gaza demanded the removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from office, addressing this request to Security Minister Yoav Gallant and other officials.

The families pointed out in a statement that Netanyahu failed to reach an exchange deal and should be prevented from making unilateral decisions and immediately removed from office "because he left our sons to face death."

Additionally, they considered that expanding the invasion in Rafah meant abandoning the living captives and that Netanyahu's government did so by deciding to proceed with the attack earlier.

'A burden on Israel'

For many weeks now, Israelis have been flooding the streets of Tel Aviv and several other areas, demanding that Netanyahu resign over his performance in the war on Gaza, including his continued dismissal of an exchange agreement.

Israeli political writer Ben Caspit considered in a piece earlier this month that the occupation entity does not expect any victory in Rafah because the head of government, Benjamin Netanyahu, is "paralyzed with terror" and unable to make a single important decision.

Caspit pointed out that "Netanyahu has long become a burden on Israel," stressing that "he must vacate his position."

"This is what the British did to Neville Chamberlain (former British prime minister) in the middle of World War II," he said, adding that "they did so because there was no choice. They didn't do it because they liked Churchill. They did it because Chamberlain failed, dragged Britain from one disgrace to another, and built a bankrupt concept."

Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas' al-Qassam Brigades, said last week that the Israeli government is sending its soldiers into "Gaza's alleys to return in coffins" in search of the remains of captives that it had deliberately targeted and killed earlier.

In a brief statement on his Telegram page, Abu Obeida emphasized that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers to "kill his soldiers while they search for remains and bodies rather than proceed with a prisoner exchange."

Explaining Netanyahu's actions, the spokesperson said that the exchange agreement "does not serve Netanyahu's political and personal interests."