Israeli writers call for an end to Gaza war

Since Tuesday morning, at least 23 people have been killed in Israeli attacks on Gaza, according to international news outlet Al Jazeera. Citing the Gaza Health Ministry, reports state that the death toll of Palestinian civilians in the war, which has been ongoing for 18 months, has now reached 51,000, with another 116,343 injured. Since the war began on October 7, 2023, Hamas forces have reportedly killed 1,139 Israeli citizens, while approximately 200 Israelis remain in Hamas custody, according to Israeli sources.

Although a temporary ceasefire was established between Hamas and Israel in the third week of January this year, it collapsed by March. The Israeli military continues to carry out what many are calling acts of genocide in Gaza. This brutal war has triggered global outrage, with mass protests erupting in the United States, Morocco, Turkey, Bangladesh, and numerous other countries. Now, joining the chorus of dissent are Israeli writers, poets, and journalists themselves. In a powerful act of resistance, at least 350 Israeli literary figures have signed a letter urging their leaders to end the war.

Among the signatories are prominent names such as David Grossman, Shifra Horn, Fania Oz-Salzberger, Yehoshua Sobol, Ilan Sheinfeld, Zeruya Shalev, as well as other writers, poets, editors, translators, illustrators, and professionals from the literary world. The letter states:
"Hamas has proposed a deal involving the return of hostages, the release of prisoners, and a ceasefire. The Prime Minister outlined a phased agreement, yet for the past 17 months, he has done everything possible to sabotage it. He does not want peace; he wants war—because ending the war would mean the end of his rule."

The letter further reads:
"To protect his freedom and avoid arrest in ongoing legal cases, the Prime Minister is prolonging the war. He is denying hostages their freedom, endangering IDF soldiers, inflicting further devastation on Gaza’s civilian population, and deepening a constitutional crisis within Israel itself."

Earlier, over 1,000 paratroopers from the Israeli Air Force had written a similar letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for an end to the war. Their demands were backed by more than 250 former Mossad officials and security personnel. That letter stated, “This war is being waged to serve political interests, not the nation's security.”

Following that letter, many of those signatories faced backlash from the government, including threats of termination from their jobs. Fearing repercussions, 25 individuals withdrew their signatures. Nonetheless, their movement has since gained wider support. More than 200 Israeli military doctors and 1,000 academics have joined the call to stop the war. Now, they are joined by 350 poets, writers, journalists, and other cultural figures.

In addition to this wave of intellectual protest, there have also been grassroots demonstrations and petitions from residents across various regions of Israel. The growing dissent from within Israel suggests that the call to end the war is no longer limited to international voices—it is echoing loudly from within the country itself.

This war, waged to serve the interests of a single leader or political faction, has claimed the lives of thousands of Palestinians. The time may have finally come for its end. But more than just a ceasefire, the global community must now demand accountability. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must be held responsible—internationally—for the war crimes and acts of genocide committed under his leadership.

Sources: The Times of Israel, Al Jazeera