Are the mass protests in Israel making an impact?
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets in Israel at the weekend to demand a deal with Hamas for the release of the hostages and protest against an expansion of the military operations in the Gaza Strip. Demonstrators blocked major roads and intersections across the country. Thousands also took part in a nationwide strike called by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Europe's press takes stock.
Rifts in society growing
The pressure on Netanyahu is growing, comments the taz:
“But it won't be enough until it actually jeopardises the political stability of the government, which is still firmly in the saddle. ... International pressure is also growing, be it over the recognition of a Palestinian state or the restrictions on arms deliveries from Germany. Even if there are no signs of a rift in the cabinet so far: whether the protests and international pressure will shake Netanyahu's power base remains to be seen. However resentment is growing, and the rifts in Israeli society are deepening.”
The country's identity at stake
La Stampa comments:
“The image is reminiscent of the demonstrations before the dreadful 7 October 2023, when citizens gathered every week, outraged by Netanyahu's plans for judicial reform. Already back then, the strikes and demonstrations testified to a divided country. ... Today, after almost two years of war, the demands have changed, but the common denominator is the same: the Netanyahu government, the most right-wing in the history of Israel, must be stopped. ... Then as now, the same thing is at stake: not just Israel's democratic credibility, but its very identity. Once again we are seeing a society that no longer accepts the dictates of a leader who is perceived as increasingly authoritarian.”