Thousands of Israelis took to the streets across the country on Saturday evening in a renewed wave of anti-government protests, marking the first large-scale demonstrations since the war with Iran began to proceed without restrictions on public gatherings.
Protest organizers said demonstrations would continue on Sunday, including planned rallies outside the private residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the home of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana in Tel Aviv.
Mass Rally in Tel Aviv Led by Bereaved Families
A central rally was held at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, where thousands gathered for an event organized by the “October Council,” a group representing families affected by the October 7 attacks. The rally took place ahead of Israel’s Memorial Day and combined commemoration with pointed criticism of the government.
Boos were heard from the crowd when Netanyahu’s name was mentioned.
Families of Victims Deliver Sharp Criticism
Speakers at the rally included relatives of victims and former hostages, many of whom delivered emotional and critical remarks directed at the government.
Ofri Bibas, sister of captivity survivor Yarden Bibas, spoke about the deaths of his wife Shiri and their young children, Ariel and Kfir, who were abducted and later killed. She described the trauma of the events and accused the leadership of failing to act in time.
“I will not forget the days they could have been saved,” she said, adding that those responsible for the failures must be held accountable.
Eyal Eshel, whose daughter Roni was killed on October 7, questioned the continued tenure of the country’s leadership. “Almost a thousand days of blood and tears—and still the same question remains: why?” he said.
Roytal Markovici, widow of a police officer killed during the attacks, said that true recovery would only begin once the full truth is known. “A resurrection does not begin with words, but with accountability,” she said.
Criticism of Government Wartime Policies
Other speakers focused on what they described as ongoing failures in government support for affected families.
Assaf Sadeh, whose son was killed in a rocket attack in 2024, criticized what he called a disconnect between authorities and citizens, citing a decision not to send official representatives to northern cemeteries on Memorial Day.
“We have been living under war conditions for two years, and the state cannot even come to lay a candle,” he said.
Protests Expand Nationwide
Demonstrations were also held in multiple locations across the country. In Haifa, more than a thousand people gathered at the Horev Center, while additional protests took place in Rosh Pina, Karmiel Junction, and Guma Junction in the north.
In Jerusalem, hundreds demonstrated at Paris Square, and in Beersheba, protesters gathered near the Performing Arts Center.
Calls to Continue Demonstrations
Protest leaders called on the public to maintain pressure on the government, urging continued demonstrations in the coming days.
The protests reflect a broader wave of public frustration that has intensified during the prolonged conflict, combining demands for accountability over the October 7 attacks with criticism of the government’s conduct during the ongoing war.
Ongoing Tensions Amid War
The demonstrations come against the backdrop of continued military operations and regional tensions, underscoring the domestic challenges facing Israel’s leadership alongside the ongoing security situation.
While the government has not formally responded to Saturday’s protests, officials have previously defended their handling of the war and rejected accusations of negligence.
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