People block a road as they protest, demanding a deal to free hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel on September 1, 2024. | Photo Credit: AP
A rare call for a general strike in Israel to protest the failure to return hostages held in Gaza led to shutdowns and other disruptions across the country on Monday (September 2, 2024), including at the main international airport. But it was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions.
Tens of thousands of Israelis have poured into the streets on Sunday in grief and anger after six hostages were found dead in Gaza. The family and the public blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he could return to life by striking a deal with Hamas to end the nearly 11-month war.
But others support Mr Netanyahu’s strategy of maintaining relentless military pressure on Hamas, whose October 7 attack on Israel sparked the war. He said it would ultimately force the militants to surrender to Israeli demands, potentially saving them more success and ultimately destroying the group.
The first general attack
Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, called for a general strike on Monday, the first since the war. The aim is to shut down or disrupt key economic sectors, including banking, health care and the country’s main airport.
Airlines at Israel’s main Ben-Gurion international airport halted outbound flights between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m. Flights departed early or slightly late, and travelers were seen queuing at check-in counters despite limited disruption. Arrival flights continued as usual during that time, according to the Israel Airports Authority.
Banks, several large malls and government offices were all closed due to the strike and public transport was limited. Municipalities in the central region of Israel, including Tel Aviv, participated in the strike, causing school hours and the cancellation of public schools and kindergartens.
However, many municipalities, including Jerusalem, did not participate in the strike. Israeli media reported that the country had asked a labor court to overturn the strike, saying it was politically motivated.
Appeal to Netanyahu
Sunday’s demonstration was seen as the largest since the beginning of the war, with organizers estimating that up to 500,000 people attended the national event and rally held in Tel Aviv.
They demanded that Mr. Netanyahu reach a deal to return the remaining roughly 100 hostages held in Gaza, a third of whom are believed to be dead, even if it means abandoning a devastated Hamas and withdrawing from the territory. Many Israelis support this position, but others prioritize the destruction of militant groups over freedom for hostages.
Mr Netanyahu has promised “total victory” against Hamas and blamed it for the failure of negotiations, which have dragged on for a long time this year.
Israel said Hamas killed all six hostages shortly before Israeli forces arrived at the tunnel where they were being held. Three of them, including an Israeli-American, are reportedly scheduled to be released in the first phase of a ceasefire proposal discussed in July. Israel’s Health Ministry said autopsies had determined that the hostages were shot at close range and died on Thursday or Friday.
Mr Netanyahu blamed Hamas, saying “whoever killed the hostages did not want a deal.”
Hamas blames Israel, the US
Hamas blamed the death on Israel and the United States, accusing them of dragging out the talks by issuing new demands, including Israeli control of two strategic corridors in Gaza. Hamas has offered to release the hostages in return for an end to the fighting, a total withdrawal of Israeli forces and the release of many Palestinian prisoners, including high-ranking militants.
One of the six hostages was Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, a native 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 is one of the most high-profile hostages, and his parents have led a high-profile campaign to free the captives, meeting with President Joe Biden, Pope Francis, and addressing the Democratic National Convention last month.
About 250 hostages were taken on October 7. Israel now believes that about 100 remain in captivity, including 35 who are believed to be dead. More than 100 were released during a ceasefire in November in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Eight have been rescued by Israeli forces. Israeli forces mistakenly killed three Israelis who escaped captivity in December.
