Thousands of Israelis protested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government on Monday over the Gaza war and the failure to negotiate the release of scores of hostages still held in the Palestinian territory.
Protests against Netanyahu’s handling of the war with Hamas militants have intensified, with tens of thousands taking to the streets of Tel Aviv every weekend.
On Monday, protesters traveled to Jerusalem to rally outside the Israeli parliament and Netanyahu’s residence, clashing with police and demanding new elections as part of a “week of disturbance” declared by activists.
“Every action that he does is in the direction of the destruction of Israel. He was responsible for what happened on October 7,” said retired civil engineer Moshe Sandarovich, 73. “Now he is destroying everything. Even if there is war now, every day that the war goes on with him, is a worse day.”
Israeli police reported nine arrests and some incidents of violence that left officers “slightly injured.”
Armed with drums, horns, and placards calling for fresh elections, thousands of protesters called for a ceasefire to bring the remaining Gaza hostages home.
After speeches by activists, the crowd shouted “All of them! Now!” to demand the full return of hostages, followed by a moment of silence for those still held by Hamas.
Hamas militants seized 251 hostages on October 7, with Israel believing 116 remain in Gaza, including 41 who the army says are dead. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,194 people in Israel, mostly civilians.
Israel’s retaliatory bombardments and ground offensive on Gaza have killed 37,347 people, also mostly civilians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
Protesters in Jerusalem wore shirts bearing slogans such as “stop the war” and “we are all created equal.” Some expressed the need to end the Gaza war and hoped for greater equality among the country’s diverse populations.
“After 75 years of this country existing and eight months of war, the divide, it’s not equal. It must be changed,” said Kfir Roffe, a 50-year-old protester.
“We need to be equal, the Muslim, the Christian, all the people in Israel must come together.”
