Mass Protests, General Strike in Israel Over Cease-fire and Hostage Release Deal
The Facts
After the Israeli military recovered the bodies of six hostages over the weekend, hundreds of thousands of protesters took to the streets in Israel to demand a deal that ensures the release of the remaining hostages. The country's largest labor union also called for a general strike.
The strike caused disruptions across the country on Monday, including at Israel's main international airport, but it was ignored in some areas. The strike was eventually called off in the afternoon after an order by Israel's Labor Court after it accepted a petition from the government.
The Spin
With the clock ticking, the US and its allies are confident that after some tough negotiating, a deal between Israel and Hamas can be reached. A guaranteed end to the war will ensure increased humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, the release of Israeli hostages, and create a better "day after" in Gaza without Hamas in power. The US will continue to work toward closing the gaps and ensuring that peace and stability can be restored to the region.
The murder of the six hostages over the weekend should serve as a wake-up call to Israelis that Hamas — with its international backing and regional safe havens — cannot be negotiated with. Every Israeli wants to see the hostages released, but Hamas has used the negotiations to kick the can down the road to ensure its survival. The protests in Israel have failed to unite the nation and only serve the political interests of the opposition. This situation is one of the biggest security dilemmas Israel has ever faced, and tough questions must be answered.
Everyone seems to understand — including most Israelis — that the main obstacle to ending this war is Benjamin Netanyahu. However, the US continues its charade of blaming Hamas for the lack of progress when the group has shown much flexibility in negotiations. The six hostages died over the weekend because Israel refuses to end its genocidal campaign in Gaza. The war could be over tomorrow, yet the US continues to back Netanyahu's intransgience.
