Outside, 'Ceasefire'; Inside, 'Resignation' Pressure... Isolated Netanyahu

Disciplinary Action Against Minister for 'Nuclear Bomb Drop Proposal'
Conflict with Hardline Far-Right Figures Expressed
76% of Israeli Citizens Say "Step Down"

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel who is leading the war against the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, is facing a situation of isolation both internally and externally. As international pressure mounts to halt the fighting amid a growing humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, internal turmoil is deepening due to anti-government protests and conflicts with hardline right-wing figures.

According to major foreign media on the 5th (local time), Prime Minister Netanyahu disciplined a far-right cabinet member who caused an international uproar by stating that a nuclear bomb should be dropped on the Gaza Strip, where full-scale war is underway. Netanyahu announced that Amichai Eliyahu, the Minister responsible for Jerusalem and Heritage, would be permanently excluded from all cabinet meetings, emphasizing, "His remarks are detached from reality, and the Israeli government and military will abide by international law to prevent harm to innocent civilians."

Although Netanyahu took disciplinary action to quell the situation, the repercussions are spreading. The Arab League, an organization of Arab countries, issued a statement on the same day condemning, "Minister Eliyahu's remarks not only acknowledged that they possess nuclear weapons but also reaffirmed their hateful and racist views toward the Palestinian people."

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

Minister Eliyahu, who made the nuclear bomb remarks, belongs to the far-right Otzma Yehudit party. The party leader, Itamar Ben-Gvir, is the figure most opposed to the Biden administration's key Middle East strategy, the 'Two-State Solution' (recognizing Israel and Palestine as independent states). He is credited with leading Netanyahu's return to power in the last general election and wields substantial power in Netanyahu's government, which is dominated by the most hardline far-right forces in history.

Netanyahu's position is also narrowing within the political sphere. An anonymous Israeli minister said, "All decisions in the cabinet meetings are made through mobile voting, so excluding someone from attending cabinet meetings is meaningless," belittling Netanyahu's disciplinary measures.

Inside Israel, protests demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who is leading a war that increases harm to innocent civilians, are spreading like wildfire. The previous evening, thousands gathered in downtown Tel Aviv, Israel's largest city, and in front of Netanyahu's residence. Hundreds of protesters in front of the Prime Minister's house shouted slogans such as "Imprison Netanyahu immediately" and clashed with the police.

This protest was held amid a public opinion poll showing that a staggering 76% of Israeli citizens want Prime Minister Netanyahu to step down. In a poll conducted by Israel's Channel 13, 64% of respondents said a general election should be held as soon as the war ends. Regarding responsibility for the current conflict, 44% blamed Netanyahu, while only 33% mentioned the military leadership.

MSNBC previously pointed out that if Netanyahu's approval ratings continue to fall amid severe political division and chaos caused by his attempts to weaken the judiciary, the possibility of a forced resignation cannot be ruled out.

On the 4th (local time), a resident stands on the debris of a building set on fire by an Israeli airstrike in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip.
[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

Since the Hamas preemptive attack on the 7th, the Israel-Palestine armed conflict has resulted in 9,500 deaths, including innocent Palestinian civilians, as the Israeli military continues a bloody retaliatory war, raising international concerns. The humanitarian situation of Gaza Strip residents, who rely on relief supplies amid Israel's blockade, shows no signs of improvement. Meanwhile, evacuation of foreigners and the wounded, which began on the 1st, has also been suspended.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu reaffirmed his stance of "no ceasefire without hostage release" and continues his hardline strategy. During a visit to Ramon Airbase in southern Israel on the same day, Netanyahu said, "There will be no ceasefire unless the hostages return," adding, "The word 'ceasefire' should be completely removed from the vocabulary." He further stated, "We tell our allies and enemies alike that we will continue what we have been doing until we defeat them, and we have no alternative."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.