Ahead of US Security Advisor Sullivan’s visit, tens of thousands demonstrated again in Israel against Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government. They called for more efforts to bring back the hostage and new elections.
In Israel, angry demonstrators have again protested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and demanded the return of the hostages still being held in the Gaza Strip. “Netanyahu is responsible for bringing them home,” they shouted in Jerusalem, according to local media reports.
They hold the head of government, who is under massive pressure, responsible for the fate of the hostages in the hands of the Islamist Hamas. Some also held large banners that read: “End the war” and “Famine is a war crime,” the Times of Israel reported.
USSecurity consultant for talks in Israel
Benny Gantz, a minister in Israel’s war cabinet, had previously threatened to quit the Netanyahu-led government. US President Joe Biden’s security adviser Jake Sullivan is expected in Israel today. He wants to meet there with Netanyjahu and Galant, among others, to talk about the Israeli military’s controversial advance into the city of Rafah in southern Gaza as well as post-war plans for the area.
The US government also expects Netanyahu’s government to actively participate in developing a concrete plan for the future of the Gaza Strip. The US does not support Hamas control. But there should be no anarchy and no vacuum that will “probably be filled by chaos,” warned US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Bettina Meier, ARD Tel Aviv, tagesschau, May 18, 2024 9:48 p.m