In Israel, numerous people once again protested against Prime Minister Netanyahu. They called for Netanyahu’s resignation and negotiations with Hamas. There were also clashes with the police.
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in several Israeli cities against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the organizers, 100,000 people took to the streets in Tel Aviv alone. They called for Netanyahu’s immediate resignation and new elections. The demonstrators later joined other protesters calling for more serious efforts to release the hostages kidnapped by the terrorist organization Hamas.
It has been exactly six months since terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and kidnapping 250 people as hostages in the Gaza Strip. 129 people are said to still be in the hands of Hamas.
The demonstrators lit several fires on the street. Police intervened and extinguished them with fire extinguishers. There were clashes between officers and demonstrators, as media reported. At another point, a car apparently deliberately ran over three rally participants, who suffered injuries. The police arrested the driver of the car.
Clashes in front of Netanyahu residence
There were also demonstrations in Jerusalem, Haifa, Be’er Sheva, Herzliya and in Caesarea in front of Netanyahu’s private villa. There were clashes between police and demonstrators who tried to approach the residence.
Even before the war began, Netanyahu, who was accused of corruption, had been under strong political pressure over a controversial judicial reform. Another demonstration calling for the release of the Hamas hostages is planned in Jerusalem.