Thousands of people demonstrated on Saturday evening in Tel Aviv and throughout Israel to demand the departure of Benyamin Netanyahu’s government and heal the wounds of a country broken by the trauma of October 7.
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“ Elections! NOW! “, ” Bring back the hostages! NOW! » These are the slogans that were chanted by tens of thousands of demonstrators all over Israel, particularly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
Politics and emotion mingle intimately in the processions. On the eve of the start of Ramadanthere are many in Jerusalem asking for a truce and an exchange of prisoners, reports our correspondent, Michael Paul. This, like Avner Wishnitzer, one of the leaders of the NGO Combattants pour la Paix.
“ Personally, I think that this killing is contrary to the most basic human ethical rules. And it is also opposed to Israeli interests. Everything must be done to obtain a ceasefire, and also the return of the hostages. They die there. It is a duty towards the citizens who have been abandoned by the country “, he believes.
Lack of partners on the Palestinian side
More nuanced, Danny Sebban highlights the lack of partners on the Palestinian side. “ We are in the camp of those who think and who have always relied on a diplomatic solution: not by force, not by war. This war was imposed on us, we must not forget it. Today you have a peace camp that is huge in Israel. We would very much like to have interlocutors within the Palestinians – certainly not Hamas – to be able to go further and stop a possible blockade. Why not ? »
Everywhere in the Tel Aviv procession, there is the same observation of an “immense gap” which has opened up between the people and their government. Many recall that Benyamin Netanyahu, accused of fraud and corruption, will have to face justice if he has to leave power.
After a highway was temporarily blocked by around a hundred people, sixteen of whom were arrested, the police dispersed the demonstration with water cannons. For the moment, negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza during the month of Ramadan are still at a standstill. According to Mossad, Hamas has toughened its demands to inflame the region over the coming weeks.
Also listenTHE WORLD IN QUESTIONS – Gaza, the impossible truce
In Umm al-Fahm, the Jewish and Arab communities march together
There were 200 to 300 demonstrators marching this Saturday in the Arab Israeli town of Umm al-Fahm, to demand an end to the war in Gaza, reports our special correspondent on the spot, Murielle Paradon.
With slogans for a ceasefire in Gaza, chanted in Hebrew in this Arab town in northern Israel, this is a fairly rare demonstration, where Jewish and Arab communities march side by side.
Hagaï is in his sixties, he is part of the “Stand together” movement. ” VSIt’s important to show the Arab citizens of Israel that we care about the people dying in Gazahe said. Not all Israeli Jews are for the war. » Even if he admits that there are not many who support a cease-fire in the Palestinian enclave.
Ania, a 24-year-old student, came from Jerusalem. She says she is shocked by the images of bombings and famine in Gaza. The young woman denounces the “ oppression » of the Israeli government and hopes for a future made of “ mutual respect and peaceful coexistence » with the Palestinians.
This is also what Sara, a doctor from Umm al-Fahm who presents herself as a Palestinian citizen of Israel, wants. “ We want to stop the war, on both sides, Israeli and Palestinian, she proclaims. We work together, we live together. So, we want to live in peace. »
For Youssef Jabareen, former deputy of the left-wing Hadash alliance, the solution is only political: “ First, we must counter the policy of the Israeli government, but we also call on the international community to mobilize to stop the war and engage in a solution for a just peace through the creation of a Palestinian state, alongside from Israel “.
For these demonstrators who brandish banners calling for an “end to the bloodshed in Gaza”, there is no military solution.