JERUSALEM, Israel: Anti-government protests erupted in Jerusalem on Monday, as demonstrators clashed with police near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, demanding new elections. Netanyahu leads one of Israel’s most right-wing coalitions, which was further solidified after a unity government collapsed a week ago when two centrist former generals, Benny Gantz and Gadi Eisenkot, resigned. Now reliant on ultra-Orthodox and far-right allies, Netanyahu faces growing discontent fueled by his administration’s hard-line agenda and handling of recent conflicts.
Despite weekly protests, Netanyahu maintains a stable majority in parliament, thwarting opposition attempts to prompt change. Following Gantz and Eisenkot’s departure, opposition groups organized a week-long series of street demonstrations, including highway blockades and mass rallies. Thousands congregated outside the Knesset before marching to Netanyahu’s residence, where tensions escalated, leading to confrontations with police.
Protesters criticized Netanyahu’s policies on various fronts, including military conscription exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Jews and his management of conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The demonstrations reflect a deepening societal divide, with participants calling for a new beginning and hoping for the government’s resignation.
