Netanyahu reiterates support for Biden ceasefire proposal as demonstrations continue
The prime minister is facing mounting pressure from families of hostages who accuse him of abandoning their loved ones in Gaza
Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated his support for U.S. President Biden’s ceasefire proposal which would see the release of all hostages in return for ending the war with Hamas.
“Regarding the sacred mission of freeing our hostages: There is no change in Israel’s position on the release outline that President Biden has welcomed. Today, everyone knows a simple truth: Hamas is the only obstacle to the release of our hostages. With the combination of diplomatic and military pressure, the latter first and foremost, we will return them all – all 120 hostages, the living and the deceased,” Netanyahu said on Sunday during a cabinet meeting.
The prime minister did however also repeat his vow to “eliminate Hamas” which seems to contradict the ceasefire proposal where Israel would withdraw all its forces from Gaza.
“We are committed to fighting until we achieve all of our objectives: Eliminating Hamas, returning all of our hostages, ensuring that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel and returning our residents securely to their homes in the south and the north. To whoever doubts the achieving of these goals, I reiterate: There is no substitute for victory. We will not end the war until we achieve all of these goals,” he said.
While Hamas initially welcomed Biden’s 3-stage ceasefire proposal, the terror group later dismissed it and has failed to agree to the details since then.
The ceasefire proposal was accepted by Israel’s war cabinet, but the final agreement would be subject to a vote in the security cabinet.
Mass demonstrations against Netanyahu continue to rage across Israel, with increasing clashes between protestors and police.
An investigation into a police officer was opened following a demonstration in Jerusalem over the weekend where he told a demonstrator: “I’ll rape your mother.”
The Department for Internal Police Investigations (DIPI) announced on Sunday it had opened an investigation into the police officer who was filmed making the threat against the demonstrator.
In Tel Aviv, Labor MK Naama Lazimi was also filmed being forcefully removed from a demonstration by police officers.
“This is the government’s police and not a public police, but they won’t scare me or us. The police will be restored and rebuilt,” she later said.
Demonstrators also gathered outside the Histadrut labour federation on Saturday, calling on the chairman to impose a general strike to paralyse the economy.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
