Protest Leader Slams Netanyahu Over Alleged Iran Attack Plan

Prominent protest leader Shikma Bressler launched a scathing online attack against Prime Minister Netanyahu, reacting to international reports that Israel had planned a multi-day offensive in Iran around October 10. The plan, which involved the IDF preparing to strike nuclear facilities and other targets, was reportedly halted by the Trump administration.

Bressler, a physicist and associate professor at the Weizmann Institute, is a leading figure in the "Black Flags" protest movement, which opposes the judicial overhaul and advocates for the release of hostages. She is often seen alongside the "Brothers in Arms" movement and is known for her sharp criticism of the government on social media. Her rhetoric has intensified leading up to the current election period.

In a social media post, Bressler questioned Netanyahu's motives, suggesting he might be influenced or blackmailed by Qatar. She wrote, "The prime minister of the massacre, who hugs his Qatari advisors. The man whose fear that he himself is being operated or blackmailed by Qatar cannot be ignored (otherwise why does he continue to hug Uriah even after he admitted he received money from Qatar even after the massacre) wants to send our children to risk their lives. For whom does he work????"

Separately, Bressler is facing a defamation lawsuit threat from attorney Kinneret Brashi. The legal action stems from Bressler resharing a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation, previously identified as fake news in 2023 and deleted by Bressler herself. The fabricated exchange was attributed to the late right-wing activist Orly Lev and contained offensive remarks about residents of the Gaza envelope. Brashi stated that Bressler's repeated publication of the fake content, despite knowing it was false and having previously deleted it, negates any claim of good faith, leading to the impending lawsuit.