Previous anti-government protests I’ve seen in Israel since the Hamas attacks of October 7th have been focussed on getting the hostages home, but this was different.
The Israeli police blocked the protestors before they got to the Gaza crossing, so they stood at the side of the road under the burning sun and and shouted their slogan: “Stop the War!” Previous anti-government protests I’ve seen in Israel since the Hamas attacks of October 7th have been focussed on getting the hostages home, but this was different.
People were holding up pictures of hungry Gazan children. “I can’t bear to be part of what’s happening – starving people, murdering children,” said a woman in a purple baseball cap with long grey hair. “My heart and soul doesn’t let me rest for a minute.” Banners read: “Not In My Name”, “End The War For All Our Sakes” and “Resist Losing Your Compassion.”
After the October 7th attacks, the Israeli left struggled to respond – how could they advocate peace with the Palestinians after Hamas murdered so many Jews? But the ground is shifting. Many believe that the war was necessary to weaken Hamas but that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu broke the ceasefire in March simply to retain the support of his right-wing coalition partners. Now, they say, it’s just cruel and counter-productive.
Amongst the speakers at the demonstration was Captain Ron Feiner, a reservist who served in the Israeli military in Lebanon but has refused to go to Gaza. He expects to start a 20-day prison sentence on Monday. “I don’t think I should be punished but I don’t regret it,” he said. “The orders we have received are not moral. They are not serving the security interest of Israel. The only thing they will bring is more death to Israeli soldiers, Gazan civilians and more hostages.”
On the opposite side of the road, a small group of men in red caps were praying. They’re from Sderot, an Israeli community that has frequently been hit by missiles fired from Gaza. Gadiel Schvartzman told me that the protestors were stupid because only the total reoccupation of Gaza will bring peace. “That’s rubbish!” shouted a voice from behind me. Avi Orpaz, wearing a yellow hat and carrying a saucepan that he had been using as a drum, had crossed the road from the protest. The two men started to have an argument.
“This war must stop!” shouted Orpaz.
“They must put down their weapons!” shouted Schvartsman.
“If we make another massacre on their massacre, there will be no peace!” yelled Orpaz.
“It’s a long war and someone will give up. This is the land of the Jewish people!” yelled Schvartsman.
And so on until the two men agreed to disagree and shook hands.
A few miles away, in Jabalia, in the north of the Gaza Strip, men were digging through the rubble of a five-storey house which Israel hit in an overnight airstrike. At least nine people were killed, included a baby and a child. These hospitals that are still functioning are seeing a growing number of malnourished children.
“They are not anywhere. We are not going anywhere. We need to settle the relationship between us,” said Orpaz as he walked away.
Watch more here:
Gaza gets limited aid after Israeli blockade – but is it too late?
UN says it still hasn’t been able to distribute any aid in Gaza
Israel condemned by closest allies as Gaza faces starvation
