Settler protesters against Netanyahu: Resignation or death

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
18 Aug 2024 08:46
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Israeli settlers' frustration is mounting over Netanyahu's failure to achieve the goals of the war and secure the release of prisoners held by the Palestinian Resistance in Gaza.

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Israeli settler families of captives held in the Gaza Strip and allies protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Tel Aviv, occupied Palestine, Saturday, August 17, 2024. (AP)

Protests erupted in Tel Aviv against Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies, with demonstrators demanding a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance. Some protesters threatened that if Netanyahu did not resign, they would ensure his death.

Families of Israeli captives being held in the Gaza Strip demonstrated on Saturday evening, urging the government to finalize a prisoner swap. They criticized Netanyahu's conditions, claiming they are obstructing the agreement.

In a statement read outside the Security Ministry in Tel Aviv, the families stressed that "Israel" faces a critical crossroads: Either a deal or escalation.

Simultaneously, protests occurred in northern occupied Palestine, in Haifa and Karmiel, where demonstrators also called for a prisoner exchange.

Recently, a committee representing the families accused Israeli Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of repeatedly sabotaging the exchange deal. They criticized the neglect of captives since the war's outbreak on October 7.

Israeli opposition leader Benny Gantz warned that the captives being held by the Palestinian Resistance "have no more time left."

Israeli security and intelligence officials recently informed Netanyahu that "the time for reaching an agreement is running out," presenting him with a written document during a Thursday meeting to prepare for potential attacks on "Israel".

They cautioned that delays and stubborn positions in negotiations "could cost the lives of the prisoners [captives]."

Netanyahu offering 'Israel's' collapse to enemies

Netanyahu "inadvertently serves the interests of the Iranians and Hezbollah, just as he previously did with Hamas," former Israeli occupation forces ombudsman Major General Itzhak Brik wrote in an article for Israeli news website Maariv.

He said that Netanyahu is "the gift from the Israeli government to its enemies," from Iran to Hezbollah. Brik explained that the failing policies of Netanyahu have benefited the Axis of Resistance.

The former official said that he met with the Israeli prime minister six times since the war on Gaza began, adding that he "knows very well that Hamas cannot be eradicated." Despite this Netanyahu has insisted that the Israeli regime will continue to fight Hamas until its complete elimination.

He said that Netanyahu has taken advantage of such outlandish remarks to spur on far-right Israeli settlers and officials' support for his government. Brik stressed that these extremists gave him the "legitimacy" to continue the war to the end, allowing him to remain as Prime Minister.

The former official asserted that these policies neither further the interests of settlers nor Israeli security, adding that these factors do not dictate Netanyahu's policy-making. He said that the goal of these policies is to allow Netanyahu to remain in power, even if they lead to the "third destruction."