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Thousands Rally Against Netanyahu Days Before Election
Confirmed
In Short: Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, three days before a general election.
The October Council, representing hostages and bereaved families, organized the rally, which drew thousands of protesters.
Protesters marched from Rabin Square towards Hostages Square, chanting slogans like 'elections now' and 'Elad, we're sorry'.
Hadas Feuershtein, 68, told AFP that Netanyahu's government had done a 'terrible job' over the past four years.
First-time voter Naama Bitterman, 18, expressed confidence that the anti-Netanyahu bloc would improve Israel's international standing, tarnished by ongoing conflicts.
Protesters called for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry to investigate security failures that led to the October 7 attacks.
Netanyahu has refused to establish such a commission, arguing that multibillion-dollar weapons packages from the US 'won't keep coming' if he wins the election.
Eisenkot attended the rally, which echoed weekly protests previously held to demand the release of hostages in Gaza.
With polls suggesting neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition is on track for a clear parliamentary majority, the election remains closely contested.
More Palestinian citizens of Israel are expected to vote than usual, with the Palestinian-led Joint List predicting a 70 percent voter turnout.
Netanyahu is reportedly treading lightly on settler attacks to avoid alienating political allies he may need after the election.
What this adds
The rally was organized to mark three years of efforts to uncover the truth and establish accountability.
Protesters also chanted 'elections now', indicating a desire for change.
Netanyahu's warnings about the consequences of another term in office have been met with skepticism among opposition supporters.
What's confirmed
- "Three days before the election, we will hold the culminating event marking three years of struggle to uncover the truth, demand accountability, and establish a state commission of inquiry," the October Council wrote on X ahead of the rally.
- First-time voter Naama Bitterman, 18, said at Saturday's rally that she was confident the anti-Netanyahu bloc she supports would have the upper hand in the vote and improve Israel's international standing, tarnished by three years of war in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran and surging violence in the occupied West Bank.
- "We have sent an urgent letter to the Police Commissioner following alerts about attempts by entities linked to the coalition to disrupt tonight's rally," the October Council wrote on X.
- The October Council alerted law enforcement of possible "provocations" from pro-government agitators.
- Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday for a large anti-government demonstration, three days ahead of a general election widely viewed as a referendum on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- The rally comes after years of campaigning by Israeli civil society and opposition parties to establish an independent commission of inquiry on the security failures that led to October 7.
- "I think that if we win -- and we are going to win -- we can change how other people in the entire world see us," she told AFP.
What's still developing
- "If he wins the elections, that's what will happen: there will be sanctions, there will be no security agreement with the United States... and there will be no Israeli economy," he said in an interview with Israel 's Channel 12.
- "Netanyahu says that if he is elected again, Israel will disconnect from the global economy. No online shopping, no investments in high-tech, no security. We must not let bbCoin destroy Israel," he wrote on X.
- The gathering is expected to see the participation of the leaders of the four main opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot, who is neck and neck with Netanyahu.
- Protesters chanted "elections now", and "Elad, we're sorry", local media reported.
- In a statement posted on X ahead of the demonstration, the council said the rally would mark three years of efforts to uncover the truth, establish accountability and secure the creation of an independent inquiry.
- "I don't want the lies to continue," she said.
- "These elections are very critical, and it's really important that we change the government," said one voter, whose brother flew in from the US to cast his ballot.
- Trump praised Netanyahu as a partner in combat… The United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), escalating its campaign against the court over its investigations of the United … CENTCOM announced the completion of the US military withdrawal from Iraq, ending Operation Inherent Resolve in the country.
- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during an unannounced visit to Israel, amid discussions between Washington and Tel Aviv about potentially resuming major combat operations against Iran, Axios reported, citing two sources familiar with the meeting.
- According to Newsmax, Vance told journalist Mark Halperin that he would not get involved in Israel’s election, explaining that his focus is on the Nov. 3 U.S. midterm elections.
- Describing the event as “a highly severe security incident”, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saudi authorities would interrogate the co-pilot of flydubai flight FZ1073 from the United Arab Emirates to Israel, which had more than 170 Israelis on board.
- Mr Netanyahu, in his interview with Fox News, said Mr Machchhar had apparently been stabbed or hit with an axe by the other pilot and had bled profusely.