This protest—already branded with names like “Operation Abraham,” “Operation Ibrahim,” “The Wedding of Resistance,” and “The Wedding of Blood”—may not be the first time the protest movement has taken a bizarre turn but it’s likely to top the podium for sheer absurdity. It reflects a loss of direction, a collapse of proportion and worst of all—and there’s no polite way to put it—its damage far outweighs its negligible benefit.
“I’m fighting for my home,” said one leading activist calling to rally the crowds. “In this war, everything is legitimate.” One person proposed bringing Noa, Netanyahu’s estranged daughter, as if they already knew she wasn’t invited and would go along with the stunt. Another wrote: “We must prepare for this like a special forces operation and be ready to face the enemy”—meaning the police.
Social media and WhatsApp groups have circulated tactics: block roads to prevent guests from arriving; bring airhorns, drums and loudspeakers to make sure no one inside forgets what’s happening outside. Others called to photograph guests and post their faces publicly—“so there’s no misunderstanding,” they wrote.
“These are the people who, by attending this wedding, strengthen the hand of the man who holds 55 hostages in Hamas’ filthy tunnels, the one who’s the reason none of them can even dream of a wedding.”
And yet three points must be made.
First, this is Avner Netanyahu’s wedding—the younger brother. Unlike the repugnant party boy in Miami, he doesn’t post venomous rants, doesn’t pull strings from afar, and, at least according to reports, doesn’t live off public funds or engage in corruption. He has every right to celebrate his day however he chooses.
Second, he’s not the only one. Even in these terrible times, people are allowed to experience joy. Weddings are still happening. People go to concerts. Tickets to big shows are hard to get. That’s a good thing.
The third point goes beyond ethics or decency. It touches on the purpose of the protests themselves—what they’ve stood for over the past two years. In this case, even the old saying “don’t be right, be smart” doesn’t apply. This isn’t right and it isn’t smart.
Ariella Ringel HoffmanIt’s unclear what message protesters hope to send if the goal is to bring down Netanyahu’s corrupt rule. What is clear is that many good people who believe in this protest movement are now deeply conflicted. And stunts like this are fuel for the engine that keeps Netanyahu in power—and makes him stronger.
If protest is absolutely necessary, there’s only one kind that makes sense: a silent demonstration. A long human chain on the road leading to Ronit Farm, no roadblocks, no horns—just people standing shoulder to shoulder with yellow flags and photos of the hostages.
A quiet, powerful message: we remember them. Every day, all day. And that grief is on our shoulders. Nothing more.
