Nine months after the attacks on Gaza began on October 7, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government were protested in demonstrations held under the slogan “Day of Resistance” at the call of domestic opposition groups.
Protesters in the capital Tel Aviv, Haifa, West Jerusalem and other cities have blocked some roads and intersections since morning, with Israeli police using force in some places to try to clear roads.
In the evening, a group of about 1,000 people gathered in Sacher Park near the parliament building in West Jerusalem, before attempting to walk to Netanyahu’s house. Israeli police blocked roads with iron fences along the route the protesters were taking.
Demonstrators carrying Israeli flags called for a ceasefire agreement to bring Israeli prisoners to the Gaza Strip and chanted slogans such as “Bring back the prisoners.” Israelis carrying banners, placards and signs critical of Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government marched through the streets of West Jerusalem, calling for the government to step down and for early elections to be held. Israeli police used horse-drawn convoys and TOMA vehicles to take precautions in the area.
A group of several thousand people gathered in front of the Ministry of Defense in Tel Aviv to protest against the Netanyahu government. In chants and speeches, the demonstrators criticized the Netanyahu government for its indifference to the transfer of prisoners from the Gaza Strip.
Some Israeli groups have recently stepped up protests, accusing the Netanyahu government of indifference to the return of Israeli prisoners in Gaza and of being responsible for the events of October 7.
Since yesterday morning, anti-Netanyahu government groups have carried out a series of civil disobedience actions across the country, blocking roads, blocking tramways, holding demonstrations in front of politicians’ homes and departing in motorcades.
Footage on social media showed Israeli police using force while detaining some protesters during the day.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has been criticized by Israel and the international community for not concluding a prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas for political reasons. It is known that far-right politicians in his coalition government have threatened to overthrow his government if he stops attacking Gaza.
The parties have been in prolonged negotiations to halt the Israeli offensive into the Gaza Strip that began on October 7. Hamas delegations have reportedly approved a final ceasefire draft prepared by mediators.
Prime Minister Netanyahu announced on Sunday night that he would assert “Israel’s right to attack Gaza again”, seen as the most contentious issue in the ceasefire and prisoner exchange talks between the parties.
Israel has insisted it will continue its attacks on Gaza after the ceasefire and mutual prisoner exchange, but Hamas has asked the mediators for guarantees that any agreement reached will lead to a permanent ceasefire.
David Barnea, director of Israel’s foreign intelligence agency Mossad, visited Doha over the weekend to make the contact, and Israeli officials said it was the first time the two parties had come this close to an agreement.
Israel is due to send a delegation to Cairo this week to continue the talks, which are reportedly to be attended by CIA director William Burns.
