They do not want to give up until their demands are met: the release of the Hamas hostages and the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Dozens of Israelis have been standing guard in Tel Aviv since the terrorist organization’s brutal attack on their country.
From morning until late at night they distribute leaflets and collect signatures. “This government has failed colossally, it is unbearable,” says Mona Hanoch, almost in tears. The 58-year-old cycles to the Ministry of Defense every day. The activists have set up a tent in front of the gates and a second one further down the avenue.
People are angry
“All these people need to come home,” Hanoch said, pointing to the wall of the ministry, where there are photos of most of the 199 hostages that Hamas kidnapped and brought to the Gaza Strip in the October 7 attack.
“This is a collective tragedy unlike anything we have ever seen before,” Hanoch said. Their anger is directed at Netanyahu. “I have entrusted my children’s lives to him,” says Hanoch, who moved to Israel from the US 15 years ago. ‘Bibi’, as the Israeli head of government is called, is all about his ego. “There’s blood on his hands.”
Protester Cindy Cohen sits on a plastic chair and holds up a sign. “Now prisoner exchange,” it says. “All hostages must be released by exchanging them for all Palestinian prisoners in Israel,” the 65-year-old demands. “And Netanyahu absolutely needs to go, he should have done that a long time ago. He has failed his country.”
The unpopular Prime Minister
On the avenue where the vigil is taking place, tens of thousands of people have protested every Saturday evening since January before the Hamas attack against the Netanyahu government’s controversial judicial reform. Yaïr Dickmann was present at all 39 demonstrations. The 63-year-old says his daughter-in-law was killed in the Hamas attack. His daughter and his partner have since gone missing.
“That’s the reason I’m here,” says Dickmann. “I cannot accept that a man against whom three corruption trials are pending in which state affairs are arranged. Our country has been hijacked by an illegitimate government. I will not rest until Netanyahu is gone.”
A young man waves an Israeli flag, drivers honk in recognition. “Once this war is over, we will take to the streets and demand Bibi’s departure,” said 31-year-old Nati. “Our children were taken from us and he is responsible for it.”
Religious Jews also set up a protest stand. Yossef Prisman, a 29-year-old wearing a black yarmulke on his head, shouts that he hates Netanyahu. The passers-by are surprised because the Orthodox are part of the right-wing religious coalition. “Netanyahu must resign. But first I want us to end Hamas. This is what we have to do,” he shouts.
Nearby, a man waves a sign. “The perpetrators of the 2023 catastrophe must appear in court,” it said. A photo montage shows Netanyahu and his most radical ministers behind bars.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
