Israel PM says opposition fueling ‘anarchy' with protests
JERUSALEM: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday accused the opposition of fueling 'anarchy' in Israel, after mass anti-government protests in recent days.Addressing the opposition during a speech in parliament, Netanyahu said: 'You recycle the same worn-out and ridiculous slogans about 'the end of democracy'. Well, once and for all: Democracy is not in danger, it is the power of the bureaucrats that is in danger.''Perhaps you could stop putting spanners in the works of the government in the middle of a war? Perhaps you could stop fueling the sedition, hatred and anarchy in the streets?' he added.Thousands of Israelis have taken part in several days of anti-government protests, accusing Netanyahu of undermining democracy and resuming strikes in Gaza without regard for hostages.The demonstrations which erupted last week have been organized by a broad coalition of anti-Netanyahu groups, who called to protest the premier's move to oust Ronen Bar, the head of the Shin Bet internal security agency.Israel's opposition filed an appeal against the move to dismiss Bar, calling it 'a decision based on flagrant conflict of interest.'Netanyahu has pressed ahead with proceedings to sack Bar, a move which the Supreme Court blocked on Friday. The government has also begun proceedings to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who has challenged the legality of some of Netanyahu's policies.Following a rally in the commercial hub of Tel Aviv, protesters are due to travel to Jerusalem for an anti-government demonstration outside parliament on Wednesday evening.Israel resumed intense air strikes across the Gaza Strip last week, followed by ground operations, shattering the relative calm of a January ceasefire with Hamas.There are 58 hostages still in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead, out of the 251 seized during Hamas's attack on October 7, 2023 which triggered the war.
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Arab News
5 hours ago
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Israel's Netanyahu says significant progress made in talks to release hostages
JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that there had been 'significant progress' in efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, but that it was 'too soon' to raise hopes that a deal would be reached. Despite efforts by the United States, Egypt and Qatar to restore a ceasefire in Gaza, neither Israel nor Hamas has shown willingness to back down on core demands, with each side blaming the other for the failure to reach a deal. Netanyahu, who has come under pressure from within his right-wing coalition to continue the war and block humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, said in a video statement shared by his office that there had been progress, without providing details. A source familiar with the negotiations said that Washington had been giving Hamas more assurances, in the form of steps that would lead to an end to the war, but said it was US officials who were optimistic, not Israeli ones. The source said there was pressure from Washington to have a deal done as soon as possible. 'There is a deal on the table. Hamas must stop acting recklessly and accept it,' a State Department official said when asked whether the US agreed with Netanyahu's statement on the progress in talks. 'President Trump has made clear the consequences Hamas will face if it continues to hold the hostages, including the bodies of two Americans,' the official added, speaking on condition of anonymity. Two Hamas sources told Reuters they had no knowledge of any new ceasefire offers.
Asharq Al-Awsat
6 hours ago
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UK and Others Sanction 2 Far-Right Israeli Ministers over Violence in Occupied West Bank
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Former Israeli PM Olmert Denounces Gaza Conflict: "What is it if not a war crime?"
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has sharply criticized the current political leadership and military actions in Israel. In a recent interview with CNN, he expressed his inability to defend Israel against accusations of war crimes. Olmert, who served from 2006 to 2009, highlighted the ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid into Gaza and the rising death toll among Palestinians. A Rhetorical Question on War Crimes 'What is it if not a war crime?' Olmert asked rhetorically during the interview. He accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and far-right government members of committing actions that cannot be justified. Since the war began, Olmert has defended Israel against claims of genocide and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. He previously asserted that Israel does not deliberately target civilians, especially women and children. However, after 19 months of conflict, Olmert believes he can no longer maintain that defense. Following the publication of his op-ed in Haaretz, he stated, 'What we are doing in Gaza now is a war of devastation.' He described the military actions as indiscriminate, limitless, cruel, and criminal against civilians. CNN has reached out to the Prime Minister's Office for a response to Olmert's statements. Rising Casualties in Gaza According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, over 54,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since the war began. This figure includes at least 28,000 women and children. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported in January that they had killed more than 20,000 Hamas fighters. Olmert emphasized the need to protect uninvolved civilians in Gaza from military operations, which he deemed unjustified. 'I think that we have to make sure that no uninvolved people in Gaza are hurt,' he said. Olmert directed most of his criticism toward Netanyahu and far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. He expressed hope that this government would soon disappear, stating, 'I believe that the majority of Israelis are sick and tired of these policies.' He lamented the damage this government has caused to Israel's moral integrity. Polls indicate that most Israelis support a comprehensive ceasefire agreement. This agreement would involve the release of the remaining 58 hostages held in Gaza and an end to the ongoing conflict. Despite this, Netanyahu has refused to commit to a ceasefire, insisting that military operations will continue until Hamas is defeated. Hope for Change Through Trump Like many hostage families who have lost faith in Netanyahu, Olmert looks to U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance in ending the war. He believes Trump is one of the few individuals capable of compelling Netanyahu to confront the reality of the situation. 'I really certainly think that he is the only person perhaps that can force the Israeli prime minister to come to terms with reality,' Olmert concluded. Short link : Post Views: 17
