SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Experts: Netanyahu will not back down

The protests in Israel continue to grow and on Saturday, according to reports, half a million people gathered in Tel Aviv to demonstrate. But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not seem to be yielding to the pressure, according to two Middle East experts.

» Updated: 13 September 2024, 14:37

» Published: 08 September 2024

Experts: Netanyahu will not back down
Photo: Ariel Schalit/AP/TT

500,000 people participated, according to the organizer's estimate, in Saturday evening's demonstration outside the army's headquarters. The demand: that the government enters into an agreement with terrorist-stamped Hamas about a ceasefire to get the hostages home.

If the figure is correct, the demonstration is the largest in the country's history, according to The Times of Israel.

It is obvious that the fact that these six hostages were killed in the way they were has really triggered much more powerful protests, says Isabell Schierenbeck, professor of political science at the Department of Global Studies at the University of Gothenburg.

Murdered Hostages

It was on September 1 that Israel announced that it had found the remains of six murdered people from the hostages in tunnels under Gaza, where all were shot at close range. Netanyahu has described it as "executions" since they were allegedly shot in the back of the head.

Those who protest believe that this clearly shows that they will not get the hostages released by continuing the war, says Schierenbeck.

Anders Persson, associate professor of political science at Linnaeus University, also notes that "the snowball is rolling and getting bigger and bigger". He points out that the protests have strong public support according to opinion polls.

But what can the protest movement do with this popular support? Not much, says Persson.

As long as the government does not seem to be cracking from within, Netanyahu does not need to give in. And despite the protests, there is nothing that indicates this, according to both Persson and Schierenbeck.

It's hard to say what will happen, but I don't think the protests will subside in the near future, and I have a hard time seeing the government fall. With great likelihood, it will continue in the same way, says Isabell Schierenbeck.

US Election

Netanyahu himself has clearly signaled that he will not change his mind and enter into a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, despite usually being mindful of public opinion, says Anders Persson.

Perhaps it's about him wanting to keep his government coalition at all costs, but it could also be about waiting for the US election, where he hopes to get on good terms with the new president, says Persson.

Why spend political capital on a "lame duck" like Biden when you can wait two months and spend it on a winning horse? Then he can change his mind and start turning the page.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Trump chooses new Attorney General
1 MIN READ

Trump chooses new Attorney General

Norway: Suspected spy worked at the US Embassy
1 MIN READ

Norway: Suspected spy worked at the US Embassy

Pistorius does not want to take over power from Scholz
1 MIN READ

Pistorius does not want to take over power from Scholz

40 People Killed in Attack in Pakistan
1 MIN READ

40 People Killed in Attack in Pakistan

Police Investigation: Prosecute Bolsonaro for Coup Attempt
1 MIN READ

Police Investigation: Prosecute Bolsonaro for Coup Attempt

Reports: North Korean General Injured in Ukraine
1 MIN READ

Reports: North Korean General Injured in Ukraine

Gaetz drops out after suspicions of buying sex
2 MIN READ

Gaetz drops out after suspicions of buying sex

USA imposes new sanctions on Russia
1 MIN READ

USA imposes new sanctions on Russia

Russia significantly increases defense budget
1 MIN READ

Russia significantly increases defense budget

Foreign Minister: Sweden Supports the ICC's Work
2 MIN READ

Foreign Minister: Sweden Supports the ICC's Work

Expert: ICC decision puts Germany in a difficult situation
2 MIN READ

Expert: ICC decision puts Germany in a difficult situation

ICC: Netanyahu and Gallant guilty of war crimes
3 MIN READ

ICC: Netanyahu and Gallant guilty of war crimes

Trump's choice of minister investigated for assault
2 MIN READ

Trump's choice of minister investigated for assault

Kristersson on the attack: Trying to intimidate the West
2 MIN READ

Kristersson on the attack: Trying to intimidate the West

Mette-Marit's Son Will Not Appeal Detention Order
1 MIN READ

Mette-Marit's Son Will Not Appeal Detention Order

Expert: We are not closer to a nuclear war
2 MIN READ

Expert: We are not closer to a nuclear war

Half a Billion to Ukraine's Defense Industry
1 MIN READ

Half a Billion to Ukraine's Defense Industry

Putin: Tested new medium-range missile
3 MIN READ

Putin: Tested new medium-range missile

Death toll soars after bombing of Palmyra
1 MIN READ

Death toll soars after bombing of Palmyra

Three arrested – would have murdered Israeli minister
2 MIN READ

Three arrested – would have murdered Israeli minister