2023 Israel–Hamas war protests
in Israel
Part of 2023 Israel–Hamas war protests
Clockwise from top:
DateOctober 2023 (October 2023) – ongoing
Location
Israel
Caused by2023 Israel–Hamas war
GoalsVaried
MethodsProtests, demonstrations, civil disobedience, online activism

As a result of the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, nationwide protests occurred across Israel, including rallies, demonstrations, campaigns, and vigils. These demonstrations occurred as part of a broader movement of war-related protests occurring around the world. Israelis abroad and in Israel have protested, calling for the return of Israeli and foreign (mainly American and European) hostages held by Hamas.

The major protest movement in Israel called "Bring them Home now" demanded the return of Israeli hostages, converging weekly in Tel Aviv near IDF HQ.[1] The march for Israel in Washington DC which included many Israelis and Jews gathered about 290,000 protestors.[2] Jewish anti-war activists in Israel experienced targeting by far-right groups.[3] Arab Israelis reported a crackdown on free speech, with individuals arrested for social media posts and likes.[3] By 22 December, sixty-seven percent of Israelis supported a ceasefire in exchange for the return of hostages held by Hamas.[4][5]

"Bring them Home Now" Hostage protests

A hostage-solidarity rally in Tel Aviv on 14 October criticized the government's handling of the war and called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resign.[6][7][8][9] Prisoners swaps were broadly supported amongst the Israeli population.[10] The families of hostages were particularly critical of the Netanyahu administration's handling of the war.[11][12] On 4 November, protests were held near Netanyahu's residence.[13][14]

On 25 November, protesters in Jerusalem called on Netanyahu to resign.[15] A suspected arson-originated fire was reported at a protest camp for the families of hostages; the families experienced harassment from right-wing Netanyahu supporters.[16][17] On 16 December, protesters set up tents outside the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv and stated they would not leave until the government took up hostage negotiations again.[18] Protests against Netanyahu on 23 December in Caesarea and Tel Aviv called for new elections.[19][20] The official Israeli broadcaster said “hundreds of families of the hostages in Gaza gathered in central Tel Aviv to demand the government to immediately conclude a deal to release them.”[21]

A Netanyahu speech on 25 December was met with heckles from hostage families.[22] At an anti-government rally, former-IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz stated victory would only be achieved when Netanyahu stepped down.[23]

At a Tel Aviv rally on 26 December, protesters called for an immediate ceasefire and stated it was the government's responsibility to get all 129 hostages back alive.[24] On 28 December, a delegation of youth protesters from Tel Aviv traveled to West Jerusalem to call for the release of the hostages.[25] In an interview, the protest leader stated the movement's goals were a ceasefire, the return of the hostages, and "an end to the killing of innocent people in Gaza."[26]

Bring Them Home rallies in Tel Aviv drew tens of thousands of protesters every Saturday.[27] At the 30 December protest at Habima Square, demonstrators called for Netanyahu to be put behind bars.[28] Habima Square became informally known as "Hostages Square".[29] On 5 January 2024, the families of captives protested outside the home of Benny Gantz.[30]

Anti-war protests

On 9 November, Israeli police arrested former MK Mohammad Barakeh in Nazareth for attempting to organize an anti-war protest.[31][32] In an interview with Time Magazine, Barakeh described Israel's crackdowns on free speech as fascist.[33] On 18 November, Israel held its first permitted anti-war protest in Tel Aviv.[34] Two activists in Haifa were arrested for quietly protesting against the war.[35]

On 27 December, protesters from northern Israeli border towns protested in Tel Aviv, demanding to know when they would be allowed to return home.[36]

Work and school

Individuals who posted or expressed sentiments believed to be sympathetic toward or pro-Palestinian were suspended and censured from work and school.[37] In one instance, a high school principal faced suspension for sharing a Haaretz article that criticized the Israeli media's lack of coverage on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.[38] In another, a Palestinian doctor was probed by police for allegedly blocking her Jewish colleagues on social media.[39]

Conscientious objectors

A number of young Israelis conscientiously objected to IDF conscription in protest of the war. These "refuseniks" faced jail time for their refusal to serve.[40] According to Amnesty International, Israel does not recognize a right to refuse military service on grounds of religion or conscience.[41] One prominent teenage objector stated, "The criminal attack on Gaza won’t solve the atrocious slaughter that Hamas executed."[42] Another objector stated she refused to participate in Israel's "violent policies of oppression and apartheid".[43]

Racist protests

Protest against humanitarian aid

On 21 December, activists attempted to block the Kerem Shalom crossing to prevent humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip.[44] On 9 January, captives' families were stopped by police trying to block humanitarian aid.[45]

Anti-Arab Netanya protest

On 28 October, a mob of far right Israelis gathered at Netanya Academic College chanting “death to Arabs” at Palestinian students living in the campus dormitories whom they claimed had thrown eggs on Jewish girls.[46][47] Israeli police blocked the far right protestors.[47]

Government response

On 15 October, communications minister Shlomo Karhi proposed emergency regulations allowing for the arrest of individuals who hurt "national morale."[48] Following a rally in support of Gaza in Haifa, police commissioner Kobi Shabtai threatened to send antiwar protesters to the Gaza Strip on buses.[49] On 8 November, the Israel Supreme Court allowed police to bar all anti-war protests.[50]

The Knesset criminalized the "consumption of terrorist materials" on 8 November.[51] Civil rights groups criticized the bill, stating it "invades the realm of personal thoughts and beliefs."[52] On 2 December, an attorney at Adalah, an Israeli legal center, stated law enforcement was using the law to surveil and silence individuals, while Association for Civil Rights in Israel said it was "unprecedented in democratic countries."[53] On 23 December, The Intercept stated the IDF had barred the media from reporting on eight subjects in Israel.[54]

On 20 November, the Israeli public broadcasting channel Kan 11 posted and then deleted a video produced by a private NGO, showing children who were evacuated from Gaza envelope settlements singing "we'll eliminate them all and go back to plowing our fields".[55] On 23 November, communications minister Shlomo Karhi proposed defunding the newspaper Haaretz due to its "defeatist and false propaganda."[56][57] On 23 November, ahead of the hostage-swap, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir stated that any "expressions of joy" related to the release of Palestinian prisoners was "equivalent to backing terrorism."[58] On 29 November, police arrested activists at a Knesset protest opposing the government.[59] Six were arrested on 2 December protesting outside Netanyahu's house in Caesarea.[60][61]

The IDF ruled on 1 January 2024 that Palestinian activist Monder Amira could be held without trial for four months for his Facebook posts, which he stated weren't his.[62]

On 8 January, following news that MK Ofer Cassif faced expulsion for supporting South Africa's ICJ lawsuit, MK Ahmad Tibi stated, "The finance minister said that there are two million Nazis in Gaza. This is how you legitimise genocide."[63] In the petition to expel Cassif, MK Oded Forer stated, "He must soon find himself beyond the borders of the Knesset and preferably beyond the borders of Israel."[64]

Conscientious objectors

A number of young Israelis conscientiously objected to IDF conscription in protest of the war. These "refuseniks" faced jail time for their refusal to serve.[40] According to Amnesty International, Israel does not recognize a right to refuse military service on grounds of religion or conscience.[41]

Politicians

In a social media post, MK Ahmad Tibi statements by condemned far-right politicians in Israel, stating, "Here today, Israel is being sued in The Hague, the lawsuit cites countless members of the Knesset. And guess how many Arab MKs 'supporting terrorism and embracing terrorists' are mentioned there – zero. Only Jewish ministers and judges on the right."[65]

Open-letters

Some groups in Israel expressed support for the war. Dozens of rabbis signed a letter to Netanyahu and senior defence officials stating that "even when the enemy hides behind a human shield... there is no halakhic or moral preclusion, nor legal preclusion, from bombing the enemy after sufficient advance warning".[66][67]

A group of 100 doctors called "Doctors for the Rights of Israeli Soldiers", signed a statement stating Israel had a "legitimate right" to bomb "terror nests and Hamas headquarters in the hospitals in Gaza".[68] This prompted a harsh reply from the acting head of the ethics office at the Israel Medical Association, Dr. Tami Karni, who wrote that "doctors are sworn to heal, not kill... Israel's doctors have refused to be dragged into the consciental and moral decline of the enemy, and will continue to act accordingly". The White Robes, an organization which numbers in the hundreds, decried the letter as a "provocative pamphlet by an extremist minority", stating that "calls for indiscriminate destruction and killing, even if justified militarily, are not part of the medical ethical code". Physicians for Human Rights published an open letter signed by 350 physicians and medical personnel, which also condemns the aforementioned call.[69][70]

Israelis abroad

Jews and Israelis abroad participated in protests both supporting and protesting the Israeli response in the war.[71][72]

References

  1. ↑ "Families rally for hostage deal, say IDF pressure failed, after mistaken killings". Times of Israel. 17 December 2023.
  2. ↑ "March for Israel draws huge crowd to Washington, D.C. - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 2023-11-14. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  3. 1 2 Gessen, Masha (8 November 2023). "Inside the Israeli Crackdown on Speech". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  4. ↑ "Two-thirds of Israelis want Gaza ceasefire deal: Poll". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  5. ↑ "הצצה לסקר מעריב: רוב מובהק לעסקת חטופים תמורת הפסקת אש | מחר: התזוזות במפת המנדטים". www.maariv.co.il. 2023-12-21. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  6. ↑ Keller-Lynn, Carrie. "At hostage solidarity rally, anger mounts at Netanyahu". www.timesofisrael.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-15. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  7. ↑ Hawkinson, Katie. "Israelis angry at Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of the Hamas hostage crisis protest in Tel Aviv". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2023-10-19.
  8. ↑ "Netanyahu: Resign Now!". haaretz. Archived from the original on 2023-10-13. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  9. ↑ "Not Tomorrow. Not Next Week. Netanyahu Must Go Now". Haaretz. Haartez. Archived from the original on 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2023-10-21.
  10. ↑ "Israeli poll finds high support for another prisoner swap". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  11. ↑ Carroll, Rory (28 October 2023). "'Is there a plan?' Families of Israeli hostages demand answers from Netanyahu". The Observer. The Guadian. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  12. ↑ "Israeli hostage families unite, demand government to bring back loved ones". India Today. Archived from the original on 30 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  13. ↑ "Thousands Across Israel Rally for Release of Hostages Held by Hamas in Gaza". haaretz. Archived from the original on 5 November 2023. Retrieved 5 November 2023.
  14. ↑ "'No Winners in War' – 35 Israeli Jewish and Arab Rights Groups Call for Ceasefire, Hostage Deal, Political Solution to Conflict". haaretz. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 7 November 2023.
  15. ↑ "Israeli Protest For PM Benjamin Netanyahu To Resign In Jerusalem". UPI. Retrieved 26 November 2023.
  16. ↑ "Israel-Hamas War Day 63". Haaretz. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  17. ↑ "An Israeli man was charged with arson for setting an anti-government protester's tent on fire". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  18. ↑ Shurafa, Wafaa. "Israel faces new calls for truce after killing of hostages raises alarm about its conduct in Gaza". Associated Press. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  19. ↑ "Protests held in Tel Aviv, Caesaera against Netanyahu". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  20. ↑ "Released hostage speaks at Tel Aviv protest". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  21. ↑ https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231224-families-of-israeli-hostages-in-gaza-protest-in-tel-aviv/ Families of Israeli hostages in Gaza protest in Tel Aviv MEM
  22. ↑ "Netanyahu heckled by the families of captives during speech". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
  23. ↑ "We lost the war against Hamas: Former Israeli chief of staff". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  24. ↑ Khairat, Sara. "More protests in Tel Aviv as Israeli war cabinet meets". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  25. ↑ Khan, Laura. "Israeli youths hold rally in West Jerusalem to push for release of Hamas captives". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 28 December 2023.
  26. ↑ "Tel Aviv protest leader says only an end to occupation can bring security for Israel". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  27. ↑ Khairat, Sara. "News of captive killed in Gaza as families protest in Tel Aviv". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  28. ↑ "Tel Aviv protest calls for Netanyahu behind bars". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  29. ↑ "Israelis protest for captives' release". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  30. ↑ "Families of captives protest in front of Israeli minister's house". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  31. ↑ "More on Mohammad Barakeh's arrest". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  32. ↑ "Demanding answers, families of captives begin protest march from Tel Aviv to Knesset". Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  33. ↑ Serhan, Yasmeen (11 November 2023). "'They Are Behaving in a Fascist Way:' An Israeli-Arab Lawmaker on the Stifling of Anti-War Voices". Time Magazine. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  34. ↑ Jamjoom, Mohammed. "Protest against Gaza war goes ahead in Tel Aviv". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
  35. ↑ Hashmonai, Adi. "Israeli Police Arrest Two, Disperse anti-Gaza War Protest in Northern Israel". Haaretz. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  36. ↑ Khairat, Sara. "Frustration among Israelis grows as war grinds on". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  37. ↑ Basu, Brishti. "'Chilling effect': People expressing pro-Palestinian views censured, suspended from work and school". CBC. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  38. ↑ Kadari-Ovadia, Shira. "Israeli High School Principal Faces Suspension for Facebook Post Sympathizing With Gazan's Suffering". Haaretz. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  39. ↑ Sharon, Jeremy. "Palestinian doctor probed by police for allegedly blocking colleagues on social media". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  40. 1 2 Zitser, Joshua. "Israel's Gen Z conscientious objectors are being shunned and are even going to prison for refusing to join the army". Business Insider. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  41. 1 2 "Israel: The price of conscience" (PDF). Amnesty International. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  42. ↑ "Who are the Israeli refuseniks picking jail over the Gaza war?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  43. ↑ "Israeli conscientious objector says she refuses to be part of 'endless cycle of bloodshed'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  44. ↑ "Protest barred from bid to block aid trucks at Gaza crossing". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  45. ↑ "Israeli police remove captives' families trying to block aid to Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  46. ↑ "Crowd chants 'Death to Arabs' in Israeli city". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  47. 1 2 "Jewish protesters chant 'death to Arabs,' claim Arab students threw eggs". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2023-10-29. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  48. ↑ Bar-Eli, Avi. "Likud Minister Formulates Emergency Regulations to Imprison Citizens Who 'Harm National Morale'". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 24 October 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  49. ↑ "Israel police boss threatens to send anti-war protesters to Gaza 'on buses'". Al Jazeera. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 November 2023. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  50. ↑ "Israeli high court rejects petition against Gaza war protest ban". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  51. ↑ "Israeli parliament bill criminalises 'consumption of terrorist materials'". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 8 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  52. ↑ "Israel parliament criminalises 'consumption of terrorist materials'". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  53. ↑ "Is Israel criminalising Palestinian thoughts too, amid Gaza war?". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  54. ↑ Klippenstein, Ken; Boguslaw, Daniel. "Israeli Military Censor Bans Reporting on These 8 Subjects". The Intercept. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  55. ↑ Israel, David (20 November 2023). "Gaza Envelope Children's Updated 'Friendship' Song Deleted by State TV". The Jewish Press. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  56. ↑ Gueta, Jazmin. "Israel's Communications Minister Threatens Haaretz, Suggests Penalizing Its Gaza War Coverage". Haaretz. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  57. ↑ Karhi, Shlomo. "X post by Shlomo Karhi". X. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  58. ↑ Keller-Lynn, Carrie. "Ahead of slated Palestinian prisoner release, Ben Gvir tells police to shut down celebrations". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
  59. ↑ "Police arrest activist for bereaved families at Knesset protest against government". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  60. ↑ "6 people said detained in protest outside Netanyahu's home". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  61. ↑ "'Don't Leave the Men Behind' | Israeli Hostages Released From Hamas Speak at Tel Aviv Rally as Thousands Call for Immediate Release of Captives". haaretz.
  62. ↑ Shezaf, Hagar. "Palestinian Activist to Be Held Without Trial for Four Months – Over Facebook Posts He Says Aren't His". Haaretz. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
  63. ↑ "Knesset member accuses Israel of "legitimising" genocide against Gaza". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  64. ↑ "Impeachment begins against supporter of ICJ genocide lawsuit". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  65. ↑ "Israeli lawmaker Ahmad Tibi slams remarks by far-right ministers". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  66. ↑ קארו, אפרת. "הרבנים לנתניהו: מותר להפציץ בית חולים – אם האויב מסתתר שם". Channel 14. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  67. ↑ Khan, Aina J. "Israel-Palestine war: Dozens of Israeli rabbis endorse bombing hospitals if 'enemies' present". Middle East Eye. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  68. ↑ "Israeli doctors call for bombing of Al-Shifa, one of Gaza's last working hospitals". The New Arab. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  69. ↑ לינדר, רוני (2023-11-10). "מלכודת שיפא: האתגר הכי גדול של ישראל במלחמה". TheMarker. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  70. ↑ ינקו, אדיר; אייכנר, איתמר (2023-11-06). "רופאים בישראל מתווכחים: האם לגיטימי לתקוף את בית החולים שיפא בעזה?". Ynet (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 12 November 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  71. ↑ Tamkin, Emily (18 October 2023). "The Jews Pushing Israel to Stop the War". Slate. Archived from the original on 20 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  72. ↑ Tress, Luke (13 October 2023). "The Jewish left is grappling, sometimes painfully, with how to respond to Hamas' attack". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
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