The Israeli ruling class uses its citizens as 'human shields' too. Israeli citizens bear the brunt of the consequences of the policies that raise resentment amongst the Palestinian population and fuel terrorism, further eroding peace and the security situation.
They're put at risk by Netenyahu and made to fight in a war that is just as much about preserving his grasp on power as it is nominally about defeating Hamas.
Israeli citizens are also used as shields in political maneuvering, propaganda and to deflect criticisms of the Israeli government's policies. We're told that if you 'criticize' Israel and the offensive in Gaza, you're putting Israelis (and Jews) at risk, and that it's disrespectful to the victims of the October 7th attacks. Don't criticize the Israeli ruling class or their policies, or else ordinary Israelis will suffer.
We're told that Netenyahu is an issue that can be handled after the war is won. But right now, war comes first. War fought by young IDF soldiers - not those refusing peace deals or ceasefires comfortably seated in the Knesset.
How convenient for those who cynically use war to keep their grip on power, at the expense of those risking their lives fighting.
It's also convenient for those profiting off the war, like the various Israeli and US companies involved in the arms industry whose stocks are soaring while Israeli and US taxpayers foot the bill.
Members of the Israeli government disingenuously use the victims' families as props, parading them out in front of the press and pretending to care about their loved ones. In actuality, they're more focused on political motives. The families have lashed out against them in protest:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW8gY_5Kzcw
They're used as shields and pawns of the Israeli ruling class that seem more interested in protecting their own power and pandering to special interests and right-wing Messianic fanatics rather than seeking peace and making genuine efforts at freeing the other Israelis taken as hostages - in the more literal sense - by Hamas.
Perhaps Israelis must rebel rather than serve as shields for this embattled ruling class.
