Derided and deeply unpopular, Netanyahu has led his wounded nation down a bloody dead end

Editorial: The widespread demonstrations in Israel, where thousands are calling for the prime minister’s removal from office, show the true extent of the opposition to the way he has prosecuted this pitiless and counterproductive war in Gaza

Opinion polls in Israel reflect the despair that the protesters express about the conduct of the war (EPA)

On 7 October, when Hamas attacked southern Israel – killing some 1,200 people and taking 253 others hostage – virtually the whole world stood with Israel; and virtually all of Israel stood with the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Netanyahu even invited his main rival, Benny Gantz, to join a coalition war cabinet.

A nation united in grief was united in determination to defend itself against the worst antisemitic crime since the Second World War. And for a time, Mr Netanyahu – a divisive figure – enjoyed broad support to bring home the hostages and neutralise the terrorists.

No longer. The widespread demonstrations in Israel, where thousands are calling for Mr Netanyahu’s removal from office, show the true extent of the opposition to the way Mr Netanyahu has prosecuted this pitiless and counterproductive war in Gaza. Opinion polls in Israel reflect the despair that the protesters express about the conduct of the war. The prime minister himself is deeply unpopular.