The French newspaper Liberation said that protests are increasing in Israel three and a half months after the start of the war on Gaza, and that the opposition has begun its preparations in conjunction with calls from more Israelis to hold early elections in the hope of overthrowing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The newspaper – in a report by its correspondent from Tel Aviv, Nicolas Roger – began by criticizing former General Gadi Eisenkot – a member of the war cabinet – publicly and surprisingly of Netanyahu’s policies, saying: “What is happening in Gaza today is that the goals of the war have not been achieved, those who talk about… The complete defeat of Hamas. They are not telling the truth.” He added, “No,” when the journalist asked him, “Are the decision makers honest with the public?”
Eisenkot’s comments sparked some criticism, but the former chief of staff cannot be touched, because his son and nephew were killed in Gaza, and he is more capable than others – as the correspondent believes – of understanding the reality and repercussions of Israeli military actions.
Clear message
Therefore, when Eisenkot says that elections are necessary “in the coming months,” it is a clear message that the opposition will not wait for the end of the war, which will be long – as Netanyahu promised – to force the country to go to the polls.
The correspondent explained that the Prime Minister is trapped in what appears to be a growing turmoil reminiscent of the months preceding last October 7, from protests by hostage families in front of his house to thousands of people demanding his departure in the streets of Tel Aviv, in addition to the torrent of criticism of the new budget.
On the main street that surrounds Tel Aviv from the east, new billboards say, “We need elections,” in a campaign that appears expensive and of unknown origin. In the background – as the reporter sees – there are “veterans who participated in the demonstrations against judicial reform and a number of people from Technology.
Ronen Koehler of the “Brothers in Arms” leadership believes that “there is no point in the campaign as long as Benny Gantz is still in government,” adding, “What we want is to rebuild the democratic space by encouraging our members to join civil life. Our liberal secular values must return.” To the forefront and fight for the hearts of Israelis.”
Early campaign
It is an ambitious project – according to the correspondent – and it is almost ideal to reverse what the extreme Israeli settler right has done over the past 15 years to the point that, although it represents only 5% of the population – as Kohler insists – it has become the one that determines the content of political debate, even in times of war.
As for Netanyahu and his partners, they launched their election campaigns early last December, while the opposition was very late, despite the great anger at Netanyahu, whose opinion polls indicate his loss every time, even though he is the only one who proposes a simple and coherent project for the next day, according to the correspondent. He confirms that there is no going back. To the world before October 7, and therefore no concessions to the Palestinians who are being killed in Gaza.
The reporter concluded that Benny Gantz is the one who will become prime minister if the elections are held today, and he will be at the head of a warlike right-wing government without a clear political project, which indicates that the Israeli opposition still believes that getting rid of Netanyahu will change everything, and that this is the key to a new beginning. .