2023-10-30 15:56:56
Benjamin Netanyahu, during a press conference, at the Kirya military base, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 28, 2023. POOL / VIA REUTERS
Benyamin Netanyahu has taken up his war quarters on Caspi Street, in Jerusalem. Agents of the Shin Bet, the internal security service, hung cameras on the cypress trees of this dead end perched on a ridge line, vertically above the Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan. They set up secure antennas on the roofs of the residence with swimming pool where the Prime Minister, whose residence is under construction, is today housed by an American friend, Simon Falic, based in Miami and close to the Israeli right.
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« I have nothing more to lose. I want Bibi to see me. » Saturday October 28, Shin Bet agents give up in front of Yael Alon, the mother of a soldier killed by Hamas on October 7. They do not dare to prevent him from expressing his mourning under Mr. Netanyahu’s windows. Since Thursday, it has had a sign proclaiming: “My father died in neglect in 1973 [durant la guerre du Kippour]. My son died in the neglect of 2023.” Dor Alon, lieutenant of the Golani brigade, was killed shortly before his 23rd birthday near the kibbutz of Kfar Aza.
Ms. Alon joined two dozen demonstrators on Rue Caspi, who are demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister. Neighbors bring them coffee. Others have hung signs on their gates, with their children, telling the head of government: “You shall not seek to escape your responsibilities.” ” It’s your fault. You destroyed the army”, a couple of Sephardic origin retorts to the demonstrators. They blame the defeat on the reserve officers who were still demonstrating in September, ages ago, against Mr. Netanyahu’s reforms: “You betrayed us. It is not Bibi’s fault but that of the army and the Shin Bet. »
Controversial message
The Israelis have been repeating this dialogue since October 7. For or against “Bibi”: the war prolongs a well-worn dilemma. “King Bibi” is no more, but he continues in his post. The old “Mr. Security” exasperates his fellow citizens. He seems distant, isolated. Editorialists of all sides criticize him when he remains silent, sigh when he appears. They denounce the incompetence of those around him – the director of his office, Yossi Shelley, the government secretary, the faithful Tzahi Braverman.
At a press conference on Saturday evening, Mr. Netanyahu, who answered questions from Israeli journalists for the first time in years, again admitted that “all those responsible” will have to answer for the debacle of October 7, but he refused to dwell on his own wrongs and blamed his generals. Questioned by public broadcaster Kann, he denied that his officers had warned him against an attack in the preceding months. An attitude that sparked controversy.
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