Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Israeli cities again on Saturday night to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing religious government.
They called for more serious efforts to negotiate the release of hostages held by the militant group Hamas.
This Sunday marks exactly six months since terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping another 250 hostages in the Gaza Strip. Become.
One of the speakers in Tel Aviv remembered Netanyahu's brother Joni, who died as an elite soldier while freeing hostages from a plane hijacked by Palestinian and German terrorists in 1976.
“So, Bibi, what about you?” he asked, calling Prime Minister Netanyahu by a shortened version of his first name. “What have you done? What will your legacy be? Nothing but political spin and intrigue (…) will be your legacy.”
Demonstrations were also held in Jerusalem, Haifa, Beersheba, Herzliya, and in front of Netanyahu's private residence in Caesarea.
Saturday was the largest protest since October 7, according to media reports.
Israel is currently being criticized around the world for its brutal war. According to the Hamas-controlled Palestinian Health Authority, 33,000 Palestinians have been killed. This information does not distinguish between combatants and civilians. Up to 70% of victims are said to be women, minors, and elderly men.
According to Israeli estimates, about 100 of the remaining hostages are still alive. As part of the agreement, Hamas released 105 hostages during a week-long ceasefire at the end of November last year. In return, Israel released 240 Palestinian prisoners from prison.
