Israel has been rocked by widespread protests and a general strike as public outrage mounts against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The unrest intensified following the recovery of six bodies of captives held by Hamas and other Palestinian groups since the war began on October 7. Despite the Israeli military’s claims that the captives were killed by Hamas just before Israeli forces arrived, the public’s fury is directed squarely at Netanyahu for failing to secure a ceasefire deal that could have brought the captives home.
The protests, the largest since the conflict began, have seen thousands take to the streets across Israel, with major cities like Tel Aviv becoming hotspots for demonstrators. The outcry has been matched by a one-day general strike called by Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union, which represents around 800,000 workers. The strike, backed by key sectors such as high-tech, manufacturing, and transportation, has effectively shut down large parts of Israel’s economy.
Ben Gurion Airport, Israel’s primary international gateway, was forced to close, with unions considering extending the strike into Tuesday. This shutdown, along with the halting of operations by major companies like Wix, Fiverr, and the Israel Electric Corporation, underscores the magnitude of the unrest.
The demonstrations have also been bolstered by the participation of family members of captives held in Gaza, who are demanding immediate government action to secure the release of their loved ones. Roads and government offices were blocked by protesters, with nearly half a million people rallying on Sunday night alone.
