The demonstrators have organized a camp that will last at least four days in front of the Israeli parliament as the first step of a “national week of protest” with the support of relatives of Hamas hostages.
According to organizers, more than 100,000 people took to the streets of Jerusalem this Sunday, in what is now… the largest mobilization against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government since the October 7 attacks launched from the Gaza Strip and marks the start of a “national week of protest” called by the opposition.
The main march was accompanied by other smaller demonstrations throughout the city. The goal is to a campinga ‘tent city’, for the Knesset or Israeli parliament demand that early elections be called.
The main novelty is that there are several Families of hostages kidnapped in Gaza have joined the protest because they view Netanyahu as an obstacle to an exchange deal. One of the spokespeople for these families, Eli Albag, whose daughter Liri is in the hands of Hamas, has explained that they will stop participating in the rallies at what was renamed Hostage Square in Tel Aviv to join the mobilizations against the prime minister.
“This is the last Shabbat that we will stay here. From now on we will be on the streets. It is time to turn off the lights,” Albag stated during Saturday’s meeting. “The marches are over. The protests have just started,” wrote the spokesperson of the Forum of Families of Hostages and Missing Persons, Haim Rubinstein, on the social network X.
This Sunday, attendees chanted slogans such as “Elections Now!” and the recurring slogan against Netanyahu: “You are a leader, you are guilty.” Leaders of the Yesh Atid Party, the Labor Party and the Histadrut Confederation of Trade Unions took part in the march.
Police deployed riot police and cavalry and clashed with protesters on Begin Avenue, using charges and foul-smelling substances.
The protesters plan to hold the camp for at least four days and have called for a large daily demonstration at 7 p.m. for the coming week. There will also be rallies in front of the houses of deputies of the coalition supporting Netanyahu.
The week of protests culminates on Saturday, April 6, with a large demonstration on Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street and Kidnapped Square.
Source: EITB
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
