Netanyahu dismisses poll calls as thousands protest in Tel Aviv
Prime minister says Israel needs unity now not elections
18 February 2024 - 14:37
byAri Rabinovitch
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the defence ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 7 2024. Picture: RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS
Jerusalem — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the idea of holding early elections, while thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv for antigovernment protests.
Netanyahu has seen his popularity plummet in opinion polls since Hamas’ October 7 attack that sparked the devastating war in Gaza.
Antigovernment protests that shook the country for much of 2023 have largely subsided during the war. Still, demonstrators again took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday calling for new elections, which are not scheduled until 2026.
The crowd was smaller than last years’ mass protests, numbering a few thousand, according to local media.
“I’d like to say to the government that you’ve had your time, you ruined everything that you can ruin. Now is the time for the people to correct all the things, all the bad things that you’ve done,” said one protester, his head wrapped in an Israeli flag.
Netanyahu was asked at a press briefing about calls within his own ruling Likud party to hold early elections right when the Gaza war ends.
“The last thing we need right now are elections and dealing with elections, since it will immediately divide us,” he said. “We need unity right now.”
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Netanyahu dismisses poll calls as thousands protest in Tel Aviv
Prime minister says Israel needs unity now not elections
Jerusalem — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed the idea of holding early elections, while thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv for antigovernment protests.
Netanyahu has seen his popularity plummet in opinion polls since Hamas’ October 7 attack that sparked the devastating war in Gaza.
Antigovernment protests that shook the country for much of 2023 have largely subsided during the war. Still, demonstrators again took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Saturday calling for new elections, which are not scheduled until 2026.
The crowd was smaller than last years’ mass protests, numbering a few thousand, according to local media.
“I’d like to say to the government that you’ve had your time, you ruined everything that you can ruin. Now is the time for the people to correct all the things, all the bad things that you’ve done,” said one protester, his head wrapped in an Israeli flag.
Netanyahu was asked at a press briefing about calls within his own ruling Likud party to hold early elections right when the Gaza war ends.
“The last thing we need right now are elections and dealing with elections, since it will immediately divide us,” he said. “We need unity right now.”
Reuters
Egypt alleged to be setting up area at Gaza border to shelter Palestinians
Palestinians brace for assault on Rafah by Israeli forces
Still no breakthrough in four-way Gaza truce talks
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Iran is not funding SA, says Naledi Pandor
NICHOLAS WOODE-SMITH: Hamas fosters deceit about deaths of journalists in Gaza
MICHAEL SCHMIDT: From Guatemala to Ethiopia, genocides keep recurring despite ...
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.