from what i understand, netanyahu is conceptualized within israeli politics as right-wing, however this lack of regard for Palestinian life is the basic reason for the mass demonstrations nonetheless. the demonstrations are effectively borne out of the israeli public's deep distaste for the IOF's and netanyahu's continued disinterest in a hostage deal. from the perspective of zionists of all political flavors except the most addled, there is simply no reason not to take a quick break killing KHAMAS in order to get the actually valuable israelis back before continuing the bombing. i think that the netanyahu regime is mostly interested in not taking that break, partly because of the most radical fringes of the governing coalition that occupy core state positions, partly because it might give enough time for an election that is decreasingly likely to go netanyahu's way -- he faces prison time should he lose -- and partly because without the facade of the hostages, western defense of the genocide becomes less tenable, if not in the us, then at least in key european states that have historically provided materiel support to the israeli state.