Israeli PM Netanyahu sees backlash on Memorial Day events

Israeli Memorial Day events commemorating soldiers and civilians killed in Israel’s conflict with Gaza, held ahead of Israel’s Independence Day, sees a public backlash against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

National memorial events for Israeli soldiers and civilians killed since Israel’s founding were held across the country ahead of Israel’s national Independence Day.

The first Memorial Day events in Israel after Oct. 7th saw public discontent directed at Netanyahu and his government, according to Haaretz. During a speech at a ceremony in West Jerusalem, Netanyahu faced mass walkouts. Footage shared on social media showed Israelis leaving the area as Netanyahu spoke.

Netanyahu asserted in his speech that Israel would win the war by inflicting heavy costs on the enemy and claimed they would achieve the objectives of victory, which he said centered on bringing Israeli captives back from the Gaza Strip.

“Their blood is on your hands”

At a Memorial Day event in Tel Aviv, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant faced protests when he began speaking, with some Israelis displaying banners reading, “Their blood is on your hands.”

In the coastal city of Ashdod, where controversial figure and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attended, strict security measures were in place. When Ben-Gvir was invited to speak, one person shouted, “Get out of here, you criminal. You didn’t serve a minute in the army.” This led to verbal confrontations among attendees during his speech.

During a Memorial Day event at a military cemetery near the Gaza Strip town of Ofakim, far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich spoke with Einav Zangauker, the mother of an Israeli captive, urging efforts to bring back her children. Zangauker requested the government’s full support in bringing back her children and stated that the events of October 7th had exposed the failure of the state and security system, holding government officials responsible for past and future events.

In Israel, a national day of remembrance for Israeli soldiers and civilians killed since the country’s founding is held annually one day before national Independence Day. Israel will observe national Independence Day activities from the evening of May 13th to May 14th.

Nakba to be celebrated on May 15

Palestinians, who were expelled from their lands after the establishment of Israel in 1948, will commemorate the Great Catastrophe (Nakba) on May 15.

Since Oct. 7th, Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip have resulted in the deaths of over 35,000 Palestinians, including at least 15,000 children and 10,000 women, with 78,641 others injured. Thousands remain trapped under rubble, and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and educational institutions, have been targeted and destroyed.

Hamas accepted a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement prepared by mediators on May 6th, which Israel rejected. In response, Israel launched a ground assault on the Rafah area of Gaza on the morning of May 7th, seizing control of the Gaza side of the border with Egypt. The Israeli military initiated intense bombardment attacks on several areas in northern Gaza over the weekend.

Source: Newsroom

#haber#