Growing public anger in Israel over the ongoing war in Gaza has fueled a powerful petition movement demanding the return of Israeli captives, even if it means ending the military campaign.
As of Saturday, nearly 140,000 people have signed online petitions pushing for a ceasefire agreement and a prisoner exchange deal with Palestinian groups.
The campaign, organized through the online platform Restored Israel, has seen a rapid surge in support. Within just 24 hours, more than 10,000 new signatures were added, bringing the total to 138,434, up from 128,114 the previous day. The wave of support suggests a shift in public mood, especially among families of soldiers and victims of the war.
Dozens of petitions have been opened on the platform—rising from 47 on Friday to 50 by Saturday. A growing number of these, now 21, have been started by current or former members of the Israeli military, despite official warnings from the government.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly threatened disciplinary action against military personnel who sign or promote petitions that criticize the government’s war strategy. Still, resistance from within the ranks is growing, with 11,179 military-affiliated individuals now having joined the campaign.
The bulk of signatures come from civilians. According to the latest figures, 127,255 of the signatories are not part of the military. Among them are 73,599 Israeli citizens, 1,500 parents of active-duty soldiers, and 1,300 relatives of soldiers who have died in combat.
Public demonstrations are also gathering momentum. Large crowds have assembled outside the Israeli Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv, waving flags and carrying banners demanding a ceasefire and the safe return of captives. The protestors are calling on the government to prioritize the lives of hostages over continued military operations.
With support for the campaign still growing, pressure is mounting on Netanyahu’s government to act. The movement reflects a widening gap between the government’s stance and the public’s growing demand for an end to the war and the return of loved ones.