Anger against Benjamin Netanyahu is growing in Israel. A demonstration by the families and supporters of the hostages kidnapped by Hamas gathered several thousand people in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, demanding more efforts from the prime minister to secure their release.
Nearly a month after Hamas’ deadly attacks against Israel on October 7, several hundred people also demonstrated in Jerusalem to demand the resignation of Netanyahu, whom they consider “responsible and guilty” for failures in leading the country.
According to the Hebrew state, at least 240 hostages
According to Israeli authorities, the attacks in Israel killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and at least 240 people were taken hostage. Nearly 9,500 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the Gaza Strip, which has since been relentlessly shelled by the Israeli army, according to Hamas’ health ministry.
“The families of the hostages and the missing will not return home until all the hostages are home,” says the Forum of the Families of the Hostages and the Missing, which called for the rally in Tel Aviv in front of the Ministry of Defense. “I expect and demand that my government change its approach,” said Hadas Kalderon, whose five family members were kidnapped.
“Resign now”
Participants said they were determined to camp outside the ministry until the hostages returned. In the afternoon, according to images from Channel 12, a government member was also booed during a meeting with families in Tel Aviv.
International pressure is growing on the Israeli government to accept a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, but the hostages’ relatives are making their release a sine qua non. In Jerusalem, hundreds of people gathered outside the prime minister’s residence, chanting “Resign now” and “June 7.” October, responsible and guilty”. Some wore T-shirts with the prime minister’s bloodied face.
The Oct. 7 attacks further weakened Benjamin Netanyahu, who holds the record for longevity as Israeli prime minister and has already faced massive protests against his judicial reforms for several months.