West Asia escalations: Anti-war protests surge in Israel; 21 arrested
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Tel Aviv: Anti-war protests are intensifying across Israel as the ongoing conflict involving the United States enters its second month, triggering mounting public dissent and raising fears of a broader regional escalation in West Asia. What began as small demonstrations has grown into mass mobilisations, with thousands now participating in rallies across major cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem.
Authorities moved to contain the protests, arresting 21 demonstrators on Saturday night. Of these, 13 were detained in Tel Aviv and eight in Haifa, reflecting the scale and spread of the unrest. Anti-government groups have also joined the demonstrations, amplifying pressure on the leadership as the conflict continues without clear signs of de-escalation.
Meanwhile, hostilities in the region are intensifying. The involvement of Yemen’s Houthis alongside Hezbollah has heightened concerns that the conflict could widen significantly. The Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and indicated plans to continue such operations in the coming days, particularly if military actions against Iran persist.
Tensions have further escalated following warnings from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which signalled potential retaliation against US-linked institutions in the Middle East. This comes amid reports of joint US-Israeli strikes targeting sites in Iran, including academic institutions, prompting security alerts across the region.
Precautionary measures have been introduced at American educational institutions, where students, staff and faculty have been advised to maintain distance from campuses. At the same time, the United States has reinforced its military presence in the region amid concerns over a possible ground conflict involving Iran.
Despite a temporary ceasefire announcement by Donald Trump, the continuation of Israeli military actions has reportedly fuelled further anger among regional actors. Concerns over global energy markets are also mounting after Iran tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz, while the Houthis’ influence over the Bab al-Mandab adds to fears of disruption to vital trade routes.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has indicated that a ground invasion of Iran is unlikely, expressing expectations that the conflict could conclude within weeks, even as tensions on the ground continue to escalate.