TEL AVIV, Israel: Tens of thousands of protesters waving Israeli flags and chanting slogans against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government rallied in Tel Aviv.
The demonstrators demanded new elections and the immediate return of hostages held in Gaza, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s handling of the ongoing conflict with Hamas.
Large protests have become a weekly occurrence in Tel Aviv since the Gaza war began, following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7. This attack marked the beginning of a nearly nine-month-old war that has left the region in turmoil. Protesters carried signs reading “Crime Minister” and “Stop the War,” as they flooded the city’s main streets in one of the largest demonstrations to date.
Among the protesters was 66-year-old contractor Shai Erel, who expressed deep concern for the future of his grandchildren under the current government. He criticized the members of the Knesset, stating he wouldn’t trust any of them to guard a kindergarten.
The anti-government organization Hofshi Israel believed that more than 150,000 people attended the rally, marking it as the biggest protest since the war in Gaza began. Some demonstrators staged protest by lying on the ground covered in red paint in Democracy Square, symbolizing what they see as the death of democracy under Netanyahu’s rule.
In a powerful address to the crowd, former Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin condemned Netanyahu, labeling him as Israel’s “worst prime minister.” The dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, which includes far-right figures like Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, was palpable. Many protesters accuse the government of prolonging the conflict in Gaza, thus putting the country’s security and the lives of hostages at risk.
Yoram, a 50-year-old tour guide, emphasized the urgent need for elections, stating that the country couldn’t wait until 2026 for a democratic vote. He, like many others, hopes for the government’s collapse, believing that Netanyahu’s leadership endangers Israel’s democratic future.
The October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the seizure of 251 hostages, with Israel believing that 116 remain in Gaza. Another rally in Tel Aviv saw thousands of relatives and supporters of these hostages gathering to demand their release.
The conflict has claimed the lives of 1,194 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and Israel’s retaliatory offensive in Gaza has resulted in over 37,551 death mostly women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry. The ongoing violence and political instability continue to fuel the calls for change among the Israeli populace.
