Trade Union Federation leader demands Netanyahu call elections

The leader of Israel’s Histadrut trade union federation called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to call elections and take responsibility for failing to prevent a Hamas attack in October, and also raised the possibility of a general strike.

“This has brought us to the limit, to a place where we should not have been. We are at a dead end and there is only one way out: elections,” said Histadrut leader Arnon Bar-David.

The union leader proposed holding new elections in December, when he estimates the war against Hamas will end.

“It would be a mistake to hold elections now, when the war continues,” but “the country cannot continue like this, the State of Israel needs a reset. Everyone wants something new, so that new people will come into politics,” he explained, warning that it may join the growing protests against the government that are breaking out in the country.

“We may have to go outside. I hope this is not necessary,” he continued.

However, the Israeli Prime Minister categorically refused to resign from his post during the press conference.

“The last thing we need now is an election,” because that would divide the Israelis and give Hamas an advantage, Netanyahu said, praising his work since the start of the war: “We are dismantling Hamas’ underground infrastructure, we have recovered more than half of the hostages, and we will bring in the rest.” “

“This is not the time for politics,” he stressed, asking Israelis to “wait patiently.”

For its part, Netanyahu’s Likud party issued a statement calling it “shameful that in the midst of this war, when the nation is crying out for unity, Histadrut President Arnon Ben-David decided to enter the war.” petty politics that divide the nation and weaken the war effort.”

Before the Oct. 7 war began, Israel was experiencing deep political and social polarization, with a mass protest movement demanding the resignation of Netanyahu, who was facing three trials on corruption charges and was at the time pushing for controversial judicial reform.

Bar-David then joined the anti-government movement, calling for general strikes that paralyzed much of the Israeli economy and managed to temporarily freeze the progress of reforms and open a dialogue with the opposition.

In statements today, Bar-David also accused Netanyahu of delaying a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that would have allowed the release of more than 100 hostages still held in the Gaza Strip by the Islamic group.

For months now, protests have been growing louder to force Netanyahu to resign and immediately begin releasing the hostages.

Today, thousands of Israelis took part in several demonstrations on the issue in Tel Aviv, in front of the presidential residence in Jerusalem and in 50 other parts of the country.

“We won’t leave them to die!” – the crowd shouted, turning to Netanyahu.

Last Thursday also saw protests in front of the homes of ministers and legislators demanding the overthrow of the current government, the most right-wing in Israel’s history and which has given enormous power to the ultra-Orthodox and ultranationalists.