Thousands protest against Netanyahu in Jerusalem to call for elections and a deal to release hostages

Thousands of people gathered this Sunday in Jerusalem to protest against the Government of the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahuand request early elections in the country due to its management of the war in Gaza stripwhich is close to six months.

For the first time, the anti-government protests were also joined by families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas at the Gaza stripwho demanded an agreement that facilitates the release of the 130 captives who still remain in the enclave.

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“If you can’t bring them back, walk away and walk away. We need someone in your place who can do this.“said during the protest the daughter of Hanna Katzirone of the hostages released during the seven-day truce agreed between Israel and Hamas last November.

Protesters hold flags and signs during a protest against the Israeli government and to demand the safe release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip in Jerusalem on March 31, 2024. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP) (AHMAD GHARABLI/ )

The prime minister, speaking to the media at the same time as the march took place, assured that calling early elections would only serve to paralyze negotiations to release the kidnapped people. “The first person to thank Hamas would be”, he indicated.

Netanyahu assured that he is doing everything in his power to bring the hostages back, but that the demands of the Islamic group in the negotiations in Doha (Qatar) “They are a danger to national security”.

Protesters don’t see things the same way. “Netanyahu does not want the hostages to return home because he knows that in that case he would have to face pending trials and could go to prison. That’s why you’re prolonging this war so much.“, he told EFE Maya Gal70 years old, who this Sunday participated in the march against the Government.

According to Maya, the president “He doesn’t care about the soldiers or the hostages, only his political interests.”.

The head of the opposition to Netanyahu, Yair Lapidcriticized the authorities’ decision not to cancel the country’s spring break Knesset (Parliament), which lasts six weeks and will begin on April 7th.

Israeli protesters block a main road during a protest against their current government and to demand the release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem, on March 31, 2024. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP) (AHMAD GHARABLI/ )

“We have no rest for the people fighting in Gaza. Why should the Knesset go on vacation at a time like this?“Lapid said during a speech at the rally.

The protest brought together several Israeli movements and groups to call for the president’s resignation. Among them were dozens of Army reserve soldiers who gathered in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearimwhere they asked for the recruitment of yeshiva (Talmudic school) students.

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For decades, ultra-Orthodox young men of military age have managed to avoid conscription by enrolling in schools where they study Torah, and through annual extensions they have managed to reach the age of 26, the current military exemption age. without having to enlist.

But a government provision, approved in June 2023, expires at midnight this Sunday, meaning that the ultra-Orthodox can begin to be recruited tomorrow, Monday.

After the massive mobilization of 287 thousand reservists for the war in Gazawhich has already lasted almost six months, in addition to sending military battalions both on the northern border with the Lebanon as in the occupied territory of West Bankmany Israelis ask Netanyahu that all young people in Israel fulfill their “military duty”.

But its current governing coalition depends on vital support from ultra-Orthodox parties –Shas It is United Torah Judaism– opposed to conscription and with the capacity to overthrow the Executive if forced to do so.

Israeli police disperse demonstrators protesting to demand the safe release of hostages held by the Palestinian movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Jerusalem, on March 31, 2024. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP) (AHMAD GHARABLI/)

The Attorney General of Israel, Gali Baharav-Miaratoday sent letters to the Ministries of Defense and Education to ask them to start working on the ultra-Orthodox recruitment plan from this Monday.

In his speech this Sunday, Netanyahu expressed confidence that the problem of ultra-Orthodox recruitment will be resolved, but did not give further details.

The Prime Minister will undergo surgery this Sunday for a hernia that was discovered on Saturday, but he assured that he will return to activity very soon.

SEE TOO: Pope Francis calls for aid access to Gaza and release of hostages in Easter message

Meanwhile, in the Gaza Strip, around a dozen journalists were injured in an Israeli bombing in the courtyard of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the city of Deir al Balahthe most important in the central region of Linkin which two people also died, according to a source from the Gaza Ministry of Health.

Hamas authorities announced that the number of journalists who have died in Gaza since the start of the war rose to 137 today, after a photojournalist working for several media outlets was killed when his home in the Gaza refugee camp was destroyed. bombed. Maghazinear Deir al Balah.

According to figures from this Sunday, almost 32,800 people have died since the start of the war on October 7, more than 70% of them women and children, and around thirty children have died from acute malnutrition, according to data from Gaza Health. the face of the imminent famine that ravages the Strip.

Source: Elcomercio