A general strike in Israel to protest the failure to return hostages held in Gaza led to closures and other disruptions around the country on Monday, but it was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions.
Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, called for the general strike, the first since the start of the war. It aimed to shut down or disrupt major sectors of the economy, including banking, health care and the country’s main airport. But it ended early after a labor court ruled it must stop in mid-afternoon in response to a government petition calling the strike politically motivated.
Hundreds of thousands of Israelis poured into the streets Sunday in grief and anger after six hostages were found dead in Gaza. The families and much of the public blamed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying they could have been returned alive in a deal with Hamas to end the nearly 11-month-old war.
Are you suggesting Hamas was in favour of the judicial reform?
No, Hamas views on it has nothing to do with what I said.
A war would keep Netanyahu in power longer. War has been used throughout history for people to grab more power and to keep power longer.
An attack at the Nova music festival would get rid of some Israeli civilian opposition to the 2023 Israeli Judicial Reform.
Do you think he coördinated with either Hamas or the organizers to make sure festival would be hit?
I think he has enough undercover Mossad agents in Hamas to influence them which target to attack.