Image Credits: The New Yorker
As Israelis erupted into the largest demonstration since the Gaza conflict began, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finds himself at a critical juncture in his political career. Over 350,000 protesters filled the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday, a dramatic display of public outrage following the execution of six hostages by Hamas—a situation that could have been mitigated had Netanyahu agreed to a proposed hostage deal.
The mass protests, equivalent in scale to 2.4 million Britons or 12 million Americans rallying in one location, signify a potential turning point for Netanyahu’s leadership. The fervent demonstrations raise questions about whether they mark a watershed moment that could lead to significant political upheaval. The critical issue now is whether the protests can sustain momentum and translate into meaningful political change.
Despite the scale of the demonstrations, the possibility of Netanyahu’s political demise hinges on several factors. Notably, frustrations from Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, the IDF’s leadership, and the intelligence community could further fuel public discontent. Netanyahu’s refusal to pursue a hostage deal that included a ceasefire—opting instead for a prolonged conflict—has been a key point of contention. His strategy to frame the conflict as part of a broader regional struggle with Iran and its proxies seems increasingly untenable, especially as the death toll and destruction mount.
Netanyahu’s prior promises of security and counter-terrorism prowess have been severely undermined by the October 7 Hamas attack, a day that exposed significant failures in policy, intelligence, and security. His refusal to take responsibility and his blame-shifting have further eroded his standing. This public disillusionment, compounded by a failed constitutional coup and other domestic issues, has left Netanyahu facing a potent mix of criticism and calls for resignation.
With polling indicating that a substantial majority of Israelis desire his resignation and a growing sense of urgency among the U.S. administration, Netanyahu’s political future appears increasingly precarious. His handling of the hostage crisis may well have been the final misstep in a series of miscalculations that could lead to his downfall.