How the Israeli hostage crisis could topple Netanyahu
Feb 7, 2024
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Anshel Pfeffer discusses the Israeli hostage crisis and the potential downfall of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Topics include the families' protests, pressure for a ceasefire, political consequences, and implications of a government change amid the crisis.
The families of the hostages in Gaza are actively protesting to keep the issue in the public eye and ensure that the war against Hamas cannot end until all the hostages are released.
Divisions within the Israeli government, including differing priorities on achieving a ceasefire and securing the release of the hostages, complicate the situation and put pressure on Prime Minister Netanyahu's position of power.
Deep dives
Vigil at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv
In Tel Aviv, hostage square has become a gathering place for families of the 136 hostages still in Gaza. Families are struggling to keep the issue in the public consciousness while the war against Hamas continues. This war has become the biggest issue for many Israelis, and the families' aim is to ensure that the war cannot end until all the hostages are released.
Protests by Hostage Families and Political Response
Hostage families have intensified their protests, which have spilled over into a committee meeting at the Israeli parliament. Different factions within the Israeli government have different approaches to the hostage situation, with some prioritizing achieving a ceasefire and secure release, while others focus on continuing the war against Hamas. The government's response to the families has varied, with some expressing sympathy and others suggesting the families' vocal protests are counterproductive to solving the issue.
Pressure for Ceasefire and Divisions in the Israeli Government
There is pressure from both the Israeli public and the international community for a ceasefire to secure the safety of the hostages. Various players such as Qatar, Egypt, and the Biden administration are involved in talks to broker a deal. However, divisions within the Israeli government complicate the situation, as different factions have differing viewpoints on the priority of the hostage issue. For Netanyahu, pressure from both the left and the right threatens his position of power, with Benny Gantz being a potential rival and the far-right demanding a total victory over Hamas.
Israel’s prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu is increasingly embattled, amid protests by the families of hostages calling for him to go. Could this crisis lead to his downfall?
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