As the war between Israel and the Palestinian armed group Hamas approaches a month, criticism of Israel, which suffered a preemptive attack by Hamas, is boiling over around the world. This is in contrast to the case where the subject of a preemptive strike usually faces more criticism. Anti-Semitism resulting from Israel’s long-standing oppression of Palestine and antipathy towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has consistently taken far-right actions throughout his three terms in power, are cited as causes. In particular, many people, both overseas and within Israel, are demanding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s resignation.
US political media Politico reported on the 1st that the US administration of Joe Biden, who announced its intention to support Israel, is also preparing measures as it believes that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s political life does not have much time left. In particular, the media also reported that President Biden, who met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in Israel last month, advised his successor to consider a scenario for transferring power.
According to Reuters, on the 4th, thousands of Israelis waved national flags at the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem and downtown Tel Aviv, the largest city, to protest Prime Minister Netanyahu’s resignation. Protesters in front of the official residence said that the Netanyahu regime’s security incompetence led to Hamas’ attack and shouted, “The prime minister should go to jail right away.” Tel Aviv protesters simultaneously held up photos of civilian hostages kidnapped by Hamas and shouted, “Bring the hostages home now.”
Ofry Vivas-Levi, whose two sons and brother were all captured by Hamas, cried out, “I don’t even know if the three are alive or dead.” According to the Times of Israel, a military official who appeared on the scene to console the Tel Aviv protesters had to face the fierce anger of the protesters, who said, “You should be ashamed of yourself.”
Public opinion is also extremely cold. According to a public opinion poll released by local media outlet Channel 13 on the 3rd, 76% of respondents said, “Prime Minister Netanyahu should resign.” 64% of respondents wanted a change of government, saying, “Elections should be held after the war ends.” Only 18% of respondents said, “The current regime should remain in power even after the war.”
A similar trend was confirmed in another local media survey by Marib on the 18th and 19th of last month. 48% of respondents responded, “I support Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity Party and former Minister of Defense, as the new Prime Minister.” It was far ahead of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s approval rating (28%). Representative Gantz is currently participating in the war cabinet.
One of the reasons for antipathy toward Israel is that the number of casualties on the Palestinian side was much greater in the first month after the outbreak of the war. The number of deaths on the Israeli side is approximately 1,400, but as of the 4th, the number of Palestinian victims is 9,448.
In Nam-sik, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (Director of the Department of African and Middle East Studies), said, “When retaliating, it is an unwritten rule to attack in proportion to the damage suffered.” It is true that Israel was attacked, but the attack on Palestine was on a larger scale. It was diagnosed that it led to a negative image of Israel.
The situation in the West Bank, where Israel’s oppression has continued as much as in the Gaza Strip, is at risk. Professor In said that a situation similar to the ‘Intifada’, which refers to the Palestinian uprisings that broke out in 1987 and 2000, respectively, could occur again, and that “a third intifada is also possible.”
It is also important to note that key members of Netanyahu’s cabinet, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gbir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, have continued to make provocative and outrageous remarks against the entire Islamic world. Accordingly, the division in the cabinet is so significant that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is classified as a centrist, called for the dismissal of far-right figures.
In this situation, the Biden administration is known to be preparing for a ‘post-Netanyahu’. Politico reported that high-ranking U.S. officials are also in contact with Representative Gantz, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, and former Prime Minister Yair Lapid.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.