Thousands Demonstrate Against Netanyahu Government

Once again, thousands in several Israeli cities have protested against the government of Prime Minister Netanyahu. They called for new elections and a hostage agreement with Hamas. In Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, there were apparently incidents of violence.

Thousands of Israelis have demonstrated against the government of right-wing conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In Tel Aviv, according to media reports, demonstrators demanded an early election and increased efforts to secure the release of hostages held by the militant Islamist Hamas. Protests also took place in other cities, including Jerusalem and Haifa.

In Tel Aviv, according to police reports, there were incidents of violence, and as per media reports, 16 people were subsequently arrested. Some demonstrators blocked the highway around the city. The police used water cannons against demonstrators who set fires and blocked both lanes of traffic with trucks and sit-ins.

In Jerusalem, hundreds of participants in a protest reportedly broke through a barricade near Netanyahu’s office.

“Don’t come home without a deal”

A former hostage, addressing Netanyahu at the demonstration in Tel Aviv, said, “Bring them home!” The Prime Minister must give the Israeli negotiating team a “broad mandate” in talks on an agreement to release the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the release of Palestinian prisoners, demanded the woman, whose husband is still held in the Gaza Strip. “Don’t come home without a deal, bring back our loved ones.”

A former chief of military intelligence, Amos Malka, reportedly called on Netanyahu to resign. “The government is sacrificing hostages, isolating Israel, and strengthening Hamas,” he said at a demonstration in Caesarea, where Netanyahu has a private villa.

Several demonstrations planned for the coming week

The families of the hostages called for a demonstration in front of the parliament building in Jerusalem during their weekly protest. Starting from Sunday, several large rallies are planned to last for several days.

Shira Elbag, whose 19-year-old daughter Liri was abducted during the militant Islamist Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 and taken to the Gaza Strip, made an emotional plea for her fellow citizens to increase pressure on Netanyahu. “It is time to go out and fight against indifference and for life,” she said. “I urge you now to join us on the streets and with one unified and clear voice say, ‘Bring them home now!'”

During the Hamas terrorists’ attack on Israel, at least 1,160 people were reportedly killed and 250 others abducted to the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli reports. As per the reports, 130 of them are still held by Hamas, and 33 of them are said to have died by now.