Tens of thousands of people gathered in Jerusalem on Sunday to protest against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jewish men from military service. The rally, organized outside the parliament, the Knesset, saw a diverse range of protest groups, some of which led the mass demonstrations in Israel in 2023.
The demonstrators called for a new election to replace the current government, citing dissatisfaction with its performance. One of the central issues highlighted during the protest was the demand for a more equitable distribution of the burden of army service, which currently falls heavily on most Israelis.
The protest took on added significance in light of recent events, including the Hamas attack on southern Israel that resulted in significant casualties and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The security failure during these incidents has led to widespread criticism of Netanyahu’s cabinet.
“This government is a complete and utter failure,” remarked Nurit Robinson, a 74-year-old participant in the rally. “They will lead us into the abyss.”
The rally also addressed the longstanding issue of exemptions granted to ultra-Orthodox Jewish seminary students from military service. This issue has been a source of tension within Israeli society and has further strained Netanyahu’s coalition government.
As the deadline for resolving the military service exemption issue approached, Netanyahu filed a last-minute application to the Supreme Court for a 30-day deferment. The Supreme Court’s interim ruling suspended state funding for seminary students liable for conscription from Monday, adding to the tensions surrounding the protest.
Protesters, waving Israeli flags and chanting “elections now,” expressed their frustration with the current government’s handling of various issues, including national security and military service.
Netanyahu, speaking at a news conference in Jerusalem, expressed confidence in finding a solution but cautioned against holding elections during a time of conflict. Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, families of hostages and their supporters staged a separate protest, criticizing Netanyahu’s handling of hostage situations.
Sources By Agencies
