People block a road during a protest demanding an agreement for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, September 1, 2024. | Photo credit: AP
A rare call for a general strike in Israel to protest the failure to return hostages to Gaza led to shutdowns and other disruptions across the country on Monday (September 2, 2024), including at its main international airport. But it was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions.
Thousands of Israelis took to the streets late Sunday night in grief and anger. Six hostages found dead in GazaThe families and much of the public blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying they could have been brought back alive under a deal with Hamas to end the nearly 11-month-old war.
But others support Mr. Netanyahu’s strategy of maintaining constant military pressure on Hamas, whose October 7 attack on Israel sparked the war. They say this will eventually force the militants to bow to Israeli demands, potentially leading to more successful defenses and ultimately destroying the group.
First general strike
The Histadrut, Israel’s largest trade union, has called for a general strike on Monday, the first since the start of the war. It aims to shut down or disrupt key sectors of the economy, including banking, healthcare and the country’s main airport.
Airlines at Israel’s main international airport, Ben-Gurion, halted flights scheduled to depart between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. These flights either departed early or were slightly delayed, and passengers were seen queuing at check-in counters despite limited disruption. Arriving flights continued as normal during that time, according to the Israel Airports Authority.
Banks, some large malls and government offices were all closed and public transport was limited due to the strike. Municipalities in Israel’s densely populated central region, including Tel Aviv, were participating in the strike, which led to reduced school hours and the cancellation of public daycare and kindergarten holidays.
However, several municipalities, including Jerusalem, were not participating in the strike. Israeli media reported that the state appealed to the labor court to cancel the strike, saying it was politically motivated.
Demands from Netanyahu
Sunday’s protests appeared to be the largest since the start of the war, with organisers estimating about 500,000 people attended nationwide events and the main rally in Tel Aviv.
They are demanding that Mr Netanyahu reach a deal to return the roughly 100 remaining hostages held in Gaza, about a third of whom are believed to be dead, even if that means leaving Hamas intact and withdrawing from the territory. Many Israelis support this position, but others prefer the destruction of the militant group over the release of the hostages.
Mr Netanyahu has vowed “complete victory” over Hamas and blamed it for the failure of talks, which have dragged on for much of this year.
Israel said Hamas killed all six hostages shortly before Israeli forces reached the tunnel where they were being held. Three of them, including an Israeli-American, were reportedly to be released in the first phase of a ceasefire proposal discussed in July. The Israeli Health Ministry said autopsies showed the hostages were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday.
“Anyone who kills hostages does not want a settlement,” Mr Netanyahu said, blaming Hamas.
Hamas blames Israel and the US
Hamas blamed Israel and the United States for their deaths, accusing them of dragging out the talks by issuing new demands including permanent Israeli control over two strategic corridors into Gaza. Hamas has offered to release the hostages in exchange for an end to the war, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile militants.
One of the six hostages was Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, a resident of Berkeley, California, who lost part of his left arm to a grenade in the attack. In April, Hamas released a video showing him alive, sparking protests in Israel.
He was one of the most famous hostages, and his parents led a high-profile campaign for the release of detainees, meeting President Joe Biden, Pope Francis and addressing the Democratic National Convention last month.
About 250 people were held hostage on October 7. Israel now believes about 100 are still being held, 35 of whom are believed to be dead. More than 100 were released during a ceasefire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians held by Israel. Eight people have been rescued by Israeli forces. Israeli soldiers mistakenly killed three Israeli hostages in December.