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Thousands Rally Against Netanyahu's Government in Tel Aviv
· 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.
Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, three days before a general election widely viewed as a referendum on his leadership. A News (Türkiye) and Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported that the rally was organized by the October Council, representing hostages and bereaved families, and aimed to demand accountability and establish an independent inquiry into security failures.
According to A News (Türkiye), the rally was expected to see the participation of leaders from the four main opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot, who is seen as Netanyahu's main rival. Al Jazeera (Qatar) also noted that the event was an echo of the weekly protests held to call for the release of hostages taken into Gaza.
France 24 (France) and BBC (United Kingdom) reported that protesters chanted slogans such as 'elections now' and 'Elad, we're sorry,' reflecting their dissatisfaction with the current government. Both outlets highlighted the significance of the rally as a culmination of three years of campaigning for an independent commission of inquiry.
A News (Türkiye) and Al Jazeera (Qatar) stated that the rally was attended by thousands of people, with many expressing their desire for change and hope for a better future. France 24 (France) and BBC (United Kingdom) also confirmed the large turnout, emphasizing the energy and enthusiasm of the demonstrators.
Hadas Feuershtein, 68, told AFP, as reported by A News (Türkiye), that the current government had done a terrible job over the past four years. Naama Bitterman, 18, a first-time voter, expressed confidence in the anti-Netanyahu bloc's ability to improve Israel's international standing, as reported by A News (Türkiye) and Newser.
The October Council wrote on X that they had sent an urgent letter to the Police Commissioner following alerts about attempts by entities linked to the coalition to disrupt the rally. A News (Türkiye) and Al Jazeera (Qatar) reported this, emphasizing the organizers' efforts to ensure the safety of the event.
A News (Türkiye) and Al Jazeera (Qatar) noted that Netanyahu's government has refused to establish an independent body to investigate major state-level failings. France 24 (France) and BBC (United Kingdom) confirmed that the rally was a response to years of campaigning by Israeli civil society and opposition parties.
The rally also highlighted the potential impact of the upcoming election on Israel's relationship with the United States and its stance on Iran. A News (Türkiye) reported that Netanyahu warned of sanctions and a lack of security agreements with the US if he were re-elected. Al Jazeera (Qatar) noted that the election could be pivotal in determining whether Israel launches another round of strikes on Iran.
Polls suggest that neither Netanyahu's bloc nor the opposition is on track for a clear parliamentary majority, as reported by Newser. A News (Türkiye) and Al Jazeera (Qatar) also noted that more Palestinian citizens of Israel are predicted to vote than usual, with the Palestinian-led Joint List expecting high voter turnout.
Despite the tight race, demonstrators expressed their determination to effect change. Gadi Eisenkot, the leader of the Yashar party, was greeted by chants of 'Who's coming. The next prime minister,' as reported by Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Newscord.
The rally underscored the deep divisions within Israeli society and the high stakes of the upcoming election. Both A News (Türkiye) and Al Jazeera (Qatar) emphasized the significance of the event as a turning point in the ongoing struggle for accountability and reform.
France 24 (France) and BBC (United Kingdom) agreed that the rally was a powerful demonstration of public sentiment against Netanyahu's government, with thousands marching from Rabin Square towards Hostages Square, a focal point for past anti-government protests.
Background
Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, three days before a general election.
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.
- 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.
- Read more The key issues that will shape Israel's elections An AFP reporter said thousands were marching from the central Rabin Square towards Hostages Square, the location of the rally, a focal point for past anti-government protests to demand the release of those held captive in Gaza.
- Netanyahu’s chief rival, Gadi Eisenkot, attended the rally that was an echo of the weekly ones once held to call for the release of hostages taken into Gaza.
- In Tel Aviv, Eisenkot was greeted by chants of “Who’s coming. The next prime minister”, according to The Times of Israel.
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, who has previously called for Israel to become self-sufficient militarily, also said that multibillion-dollar weapons packages from key ally Washington "won't keep coming".
- "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.
- "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.
- With a week to go before a closely fought election, it seems Netanyahu is treading lightly on the settler attacks in order to avoid alienating political allies whose support he will need after the ballots are counted.
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- 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.
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