TEL AVIV – Hundreds of Israeli protesters took to the streets of Tel Aviv on Sunday, fearing that the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran – widely criticized as unlawful under international law – could resume after peace talks in Islamabad were abruptly cancelled by US officials.
The demonstrations reflect growing anxiety among Israelis that their government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is prolonging a conflict that began with unprovoked US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 – an action not authorized by the UN Security Council.
What happened in Islamabad
US officials cancelled scheduled peace talks with Iranian envoys in the Pakistani capital, dashing hopes for a diplomatic resolution to the two-month-old war. The talks had been seen as a fragile opportunity to extend or replace the temporary ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8.
No official explanation was provided for the cancellation. Iran has not yet commented on the US decision.
Why Israelis are protesting
The protesters in Tel Aviv cited multiple concerns:
- Fear that the war will resume, leading to more casualties on both sides
- Economic strain from rising fuel and food prices linked to the conflict
- Anger at their government for what critics describe as dragging Israel into a war of aggression on behalf of US interests
The rally was organized by Israeli peace groups that have opposed the war since its outset. Many carried signs calling for renewed diplomacy and an end to the hostilities.
The broader context
The US-Israeli strikes on Iran began on February 28. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks. The ceasefire has held since April 8, but indirect negotiations in Islamabad – facilitated by Pakistan – have failed to produce a permanent agreement.
International legal experts have noted that the original US-Israeli military action was not taken in self-defense nor authorized by the UN Security Council, raising questions about its lawfulness under the UN Charter.
What comes next
With talks cancelled and no clear path to diplomacy, the risk of resumed hostilities has increased. Israeli protesters are demanding their government pursue a negotiated settlement rather than further military action.
The bottom line
As US officials walk away from the negotiating table, hundreds of Israelis are walking into the streets – not to support the war, but to demand its end. The question now is whether either government is listening.
