French newspaper Liberation reports that protests are escalating in Israel, three and a half months after the onset of war on Gaza. The opposition is simultaneously gearing up as more Israelis call for early elections, hoping to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The newspaper, with a report from its Tel Aviv correspondent Nicolas Roge, springs from an unexpected public criticism by former General Gadi Eisenkot, a member of the Security Cabinet, against Netanyahu’s policies. In a surprising statement, Eisenkot said, “What is happening in Gaza today is that the war objectives have not been achieved. Those who talk about a total defeat of Hamas are not telling the truth.” When asked by a journalist if decision-makers are honest with the public, he answered “No.”
Eisenkot’s comments have raised some criticisms, yet the former Chief of Staff is untouchable, as his son and nephew were killed in Gaza, and he is considered by the correspondent to have a keen understanding of the reality and consequences of Israeli military actions.
A Clear Message
Therefore, when Eisenkot declares that elections are necessary “in the coming months,” it is a clear message that the opposition will not wait for the war’s end—which, as Netanyahu promised, will be long—to push the country to the ballot box.
The correspondent points out that the Prime Minister is apparently besieged by an increasing unrest, reminiscent of the months leading up to October 7th, from protests by hostage families in front of his house to thousands demanding his departure in Tel Aviv streets, in addition to the flood of criticisms against the new budget.
On the main street surrounding Tel Aviv from the east, new billboards read “We need elections,” part of an expensive and unattributed campaign. Behind it, as the correspondent observes, stand “veterans who participated in protests against the judicial reform and a number of people from the tech industry.”
Ronen Kohler from the “Brothers in Arms” leadership believes, “The campaign is of no use as long as Benny Gantz is still in the government,” adding, “What we want is to rebuild the democratic space by encouraging our members to join civilian life. Our secular liberal values must return to the forefront, and we must fight for the hearts of Israelis.”
An Early Campaign
An ambitious project, indeed, as the correspondent describes it—almost utopian—in reversing what the extreme Israeli settler right has done over the past 15 years, becoming, despite representing only 5% of the population—as Kohler insists—the one that shapes the political debate even in times of war.
As for Netanyahu and his allies, they launched their election campaign early in December, while the opposition has lagged behind despite the significant anger directed at Netanyahu, whose opinion polls repeatedly point to his loss despite being the only one proposing a simple and coherent plan for the day after. He asserts that there will be no return to the pre-October 7th world, and thus, no concessions to Palestinians who are being killed in Gaza.
The reporter concludes by stating that Benny Gantz would become the Prime Minister if elections were held today, leading a right-wing war government with no clear political project. This suggests the Israeli opposition still believes that the removal of Netanyahu will change everything and that it’s the key to a fresh start.
