Netanyahu destroyed the left-wing politicians who are promoting the strikes

Israel is experiencing a day of intense nationwide demonstrations and strikes this Sunday, called by the opposition and some relatives of the hostages held in Gaza, who seek to pressure the government to prioritize a release agreement.

The protest, which includes roadblocks and acts of civil disobedience, was harshly criticized by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several coalition ministers.

During the weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu warned that "those who are calling today to end the war without defeating Hamas not only harden the position of the terrorist organization and delay the release of our hostages, but also ensure that the horrors of October 7 are repeated, dragging us into a never-ending war".

Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich described the protests as a "harmful campaign" that "plays into Hamas's hands" and accused the organizers of "burying the hostages in the tunnels".

In the same vein, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (Otzma Yehudit) stated that the strike "strengthens Hamas and distances the return of the hostages", calling it a "cynical" political maneuver.

Other Likud ministers joined the criticism.

Transport Minister Miri Regev denounced that the protesters were "burning roads and damaging infrastructure", while Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar argued that the blockades were "a grave mistake and a reward for the enemy".

Meanwhile, Hanoch Milwidsky, chairman of the Knesset Finance Committee, went so far as to describe the protests as "pogroms in support of Hamas", statements that further fueled the controversy.

From the opposition, lawmaker Merav Ben Ari (Yesh Atid) replied to Milwidsky by recalling the judicial investigations against him and defending the legitimacy of the protest: "There is no demonstration more justified than this one. Keep going."

Other opposition lawmakers called on citizens to join the demonstrations and the national strike.

The marches opposing the government only serve to generate more division in a country that should be united to fight against Hamas.