by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership, the renewed war in Gaza, and his plans to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.
Around 40,000 demonstrators gathered at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square, criticizing Prime Minister Netanyahu for prioritizing political survival over national security amid his aides’ alleged ties with Qatar.
Prominent figures like ex-Mossad head Tamir Pardo and former police chief Roni Alsheich condemned his policies, with Pardo calling the conflict a “peace for Netanyahu war” and Alsheich challenging the use of Qatar as a mediator, suggesting it helps maintain Hamas’ power. Families of hostages also demanded action to secure the return of their loved ones.
By Wednesday morning, protesters marched toward Jerusalem, blocking the main highway and carrying Israeli flags and yellow banners for the hostages. Signs declared “Democracy is in danger” and “There is no victory without the hostages.” Opposition Leader Yair Lapid urged nationwide protests, saying Israelis should “stand firm against a government that is trying to dismantle the country.”
The large demonstration against the government coincided with the resumption of conflict in Gaza and growing public anger over Netanyahu’s efforts to remove Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
Critics view these actions by Netanyahu as retaliation against investigations into alleged ties between Netanyahu’s aides and Qatari officials.
Netanyahu on Monday accused the attorney general of exceeding her authority and refuted claims that the firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar was connected to an investigation into alleged illegal money transfers from Doha to three aides, initiated by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.
Netanyahu’s supporters attribute the protest to Israel’s “Deep State,” highlighting that it was orchestrated by the group “Protective Wall for Israel.” This group describes itself as a collective of 169 former top officials from the military, police, Mossad, and Shin Bet.
As Israeli troops initiated targeted ground operations in Gaza, freed hostages warned that continued military action jeopardizes the remaining captives. Former hostage Sasha Troufanov emphasized, “The hostages … are not posters, they’re people, and their time is running out.”
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
Israeli officials are preparing to brief President Donald Trump on new military options against Iran when he meets later this month with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid growing concern that Tehran is rapidly rebuilding its ballistic missile program and restoring damaged air defenses, according to an NBC News exclusive citing a person with direct knowledge of the plans and multiple former U.S. officials.
Israel, Greece, and Cyprus have agreed to accelerate a long-discussed regional energy and security partnership, pledging deeper cooperation amid rising instability in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean.
The United States has seized another crude oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, marking the second such operation in less than two weeks as President Donald Trump intensifies pressure on Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his government.
Ukraine’s military says it is attempting to halt a Russian incursion into a border village in the northeastern Sumy region, even as diplomatic efforts continue to seek an end to the nearly four-year war.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called for “peaceful coexistence” as his nation marked the first anniversary of a deadly car-ramming attack at a Christmas market in eastern Germany that revived a debate about the influx of migrants from mainly Muslim countries.
With Christmas approaching, a Christian worker and his family have fled a brick kiln in Pakistan where they were effectively held in modern-day slavery by their Muslim employer, amid continuing concerns over the safety of Christian girls in the mainly Islamic nation, investigators told Worthy News.
Jerusalem will host a high-level trilateral summit on Monday as Israel, Greece, and Cyprus move to deepen security, energy, and strategic cooperation amid growing concern over Turkey’s expanding military posture in the eastern Mediterranean.