By Rami Amichay
TEL AVIV (Reuters) – Thousands of Israeli protesters took to the streets on Saturday to call for new elections and demand more government action to bring home hostages held in Gaza in the latest round of protests against Prime Minister Benjamin. Netanyahu.
The protests continued as the war in Gaza progressed into its seventh month and in a context of growing anger at the government’s approach to the 133 Israeli hostages still held by the Islamic movement Hamas.
Polls indicate that the majority of Israelis blame Netanyahu for the security failures that led to the devastating attack by Hamas fighters on communities in southern Israel on October 7.
Israel’s longest-serving prime minister has repeatedly ruled out the possibility of early elections, which opinion polls suggest he would lose, saying going to the polls in the middle of a war would only reward Hamas.
“We are here to protest against this government that keeps dragging us down, month after month; before October 7th, after October 7th. We keep spiraling down,” said Yalon Pikman, 58, who took part in a march in Tel Aviv. .
Hamas-led gunmen captured 253 people during the Oct. 7 attack, which killed about 1,200, according to Israeli records. Some hostages were released in a truce in November, but efforts to secure another deal appear to have stalled.
Netanyahu has vowed to continue the Israeli campaign in Gaza, which local health officials say has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians, until all hostages are brought home and Hamas is destroyed.
Last week’s attack on Israel by waves of Iranian drones and missiles has diverted attention from the conflict in Gaza and for many family members of the remaining hostages there is a growing feeling that time is running out.
“My mother is very strong. She is holding us together,” said Sharone Lifschitz, 52, whose mother, Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, was among the hostages freed in November but whose father, Oded, remains in captivity.
“But as time passes, the weight of what’s happening – the way those who could have returned them were unable to return them – the weight of that is weighing more and more heavily on your shoulders. And your hope is also dwindling.” (Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Mike Harrison)
