Thousands of Israelis are rallying nationwide on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, just three days before the Knesset election, with opposition leaders and former hostages attending the demonstration in Tel Aviv.
Thousands of Israelis are taking to the streets nationwide on Saturday in protests directed at the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to reporting by Haaretz. The rallies arrive with the Knesset election just three days away, bringing together former hostages, opposition figures, and citizens calling for political change.
October Council Stages Tel Aviv Rally
In Tel Aviv, a major demonstration organized by the October Council is drawing participants including former hostages and opposition leaders. According to Jiji, the organization represents survivors of the October 7 attacks, former hostages, and victims’ families who remain critical of the government.
The event in Hostages Square is titled ‘In three days we will vote for a state commission of inquiry!’ and aims to push for a full, high-level investigation into the failures surrounding the Hamas-led October 7 attack. Organizers sought to place this inquiry at the center of the public agenda before voters head to the ballot boxes.
Opposition Figures Demand Investigation
Opposition leaders scheduled to speak at the Tel Aviv event include Gadi Eisenkot, a leading opposition candidate to Benjamin Netanyahu and chairman of the centrist Yashar party. Other speakers include former prime ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid of the B’yachad party, Avigdor Liberman of Yisrael Beytenu, and Yair Golan, chairman of the Democrats, as reported by Jiji.
Ahead of the gathering, the October Council formally requested that the Israel Police increase their presence in the area out of concern for potential disruptions by right-wing activists, according to Haaretz.
Organizers have described the Saturday demonstration as the last major public event ahead of the upcoming election, promising several surprises during the initiative as the political campaign reaches its final weekend.