Tens of thousands of people are currently protesting in Habima Square, Tel Aviv, demanding the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza and protesting against the Israeli government's political maneuvers, including efforts to oust Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The protest is notably led by opposition leader Yair Lapid, among others, who are calling for an end to the ongoing war and for the safe return of the kidnapped individuals.
Uri Woltman, a Tel Aviv resident, marched to the protest with his two daughters, saying: “I came to protest because the government collapsed the ceasefire and sent the kidnapped to the fate of torture in captivity. There is a majority that wants to stop the war and return the kidnapped. The government is on October 6, in a legal coup. A whistleblower for what people want, a desire to trample on democratic norms, and there is a majority that opposes these things.”
Families of Hostages Speak Out
Families of those kidnapped have also voiced their anger. Outside the Begin Gate in Tel Aviv’s Kirya military complex, Yifat Calderon, cousin of captivity survivor Ofer Calderon, addressed President Biden, accusing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of misleading the U.S. and prioritizing the destruction of Hamas over rescuing the hostages. “Netanyahu is cunningly conducting a fraud operation and influencing the American government as well. He has managed to convince you, Mr. President, that the goal of destroying the Hamas regime takes precedence over rescuing the kidnapped. But this is a lie. The Israeli and security interests are first and foremost the kidnapped," she stated.
Yehuda Cohen, father of kidnapped soldier Nimrod Cohen, added, “This is the 533rd day that 59 kidnapped men and women are being held in hell in Gaza. After blowing up the agreement, Netanyahu is currently blowing up the kidnapped in Gaza. Netanyahu is killing the kidnapped and destroying the country! Take to the streets! This is an emergency!"
"Rally of Rage" Expected as Protests Intensify
The protests this week are expected to become increasingly intense, with organizers calling tonight’s rally in Tel Aviv’s Kidnapped Square a "rally of rage." The growing tension stems from a series of dramatic events: On Tuesday, a ceasefire deal collapsed after an Israeli airstrike escalated into renewed ground activity in Gaza. Hamas reportedly severed contact in hostage negotiations, though the U.S. has remained hopeful about a possible breakthrough.
Political Turmoil Adds Fuel to the Fire
The protests are also fueled by ongoing political turmoil within the Israeli government. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government voted to dismiss Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, citing a loss of confidence, but the move has been blocked by the High Court of Justice, which ruled that Bar’s dismissal was improperly motivated. In a public letter, Bar claimed the move was designed to thwart investigations into the "Qatar-Gate" affair, a corruption scandal involving Netanyahu's associates.
Simultaneously, the government is preparing for a vote on whether to dismiss Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara. The decision, which could have serious legal consequences, will be debated tomorrow in a government meeting. Protests surrounding this issue are expected to intensify as the legal battle progresses.
As tensions mount, the situation in Israel remains volatile, with protests set to continue in response to both the ongoing hostage crisis and the government’s controversial political moves. The High Court is likely to play a significant role in determining the future of both Bar and Baharav-Miara, as well as in shaping the direction of the protests.
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