Thousands of Israelis rally against Netanyahu gov’t days before election

Thousands of Israelis are protesting against the administration and calling for an independent inquiry into the security failures that led to the October 7, 2023 attacks.

Key points

• Polls ahead of Tuesday's election suggest a tight race, with Netanyahu's right-wing bloc, in power since late 2022, neck and neck with Eisenkot's.
• Masses, masses of masses, flowing in the 'Democrats' march from Rabin Square to the Hostages Square – for change, for hope, for r-e-v-o-l-u-t-I-o-n.
• The October Council intends to hold Israeli office-holders deemed responsible for the October 7 attacks to account and deliver justice for affected families.
• Taking part were leading figures from opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party.
• Elsewhere in Israel, protesters were additionally gathering for antigovernment demonstrations, noted Haaretz newspaper.

Demonstrators rallied in the public plaza known as Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, three days before Israel's first general election since the genocidal war on Gaza began.

In practice, the protest was organised by the October Council, a group founded by the families of captives taken to Gaza three years ago, to demand accountability for the government's failure to prevent the Hamas attack that preceded the war.

"Three days before the election, we will hold the culminating event marking three years of struggle to uncover the truth, demand accountability and establish a state commission of inquiry, " the October Council wrote on X ahead of the rally.

Taking part were leading figures from opposition parties, including Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party. This person is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main centre-right rival.

In Tel Aviv, Eisenkot was greeted by chants of "Who's coming? The next prime minister", according to The Times of Israel. The leader of the Democrats, Yair Golan, was additionally at the rally.

"Masses, masses of masses, flowing in the 'Democrats' march from Rabin Square to the Hostages Square – for change, for hope, for r-e-v-o-l-u-t-I-o-n. What energy. This time it's ours completely!", Israeli citizen and lawyer Dan Adin posted on X.

Polls ahead of Tuesday's election suggest a tight race, with Netanyahu's right-wing bloc, in power since late 2022, neck and neck with Eisenkot's. Neither bloc is at present projected to obtain a majority of seats in Israel's parliament.

For context, the election could be pivotal in determining whether Israel launches another round of strikes on Iran. Eisenkot is believed to be less inclined to resume military action against Tehran if he becomes Israel's next prime minister.

Nevertheless, on most other foreign policy matters, leading Israeli parties and politicians remain united, including in their opposition to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Ahead of the protest, the October Council alerted law enforcement to feasible "provocations" from pro-government agitators.

"We have sent an urgent letter to the Police Commissioner following alerts about attempts by entities linked to the coalition to disrupt tonight's rally, " it wrote on X.

In practice, the October Council intends to hold Israeli office-holders deemed responsible for the October 7 attacks to account and deliver justice for affected families.

Netanyahu's coalition administration, even so, has refused demands to establish an independent commission of inquiry. Instead, it has offered to set up a "political" commission. While the remainder would be appointed by opposition legislators, half of the commission's members would be appointed by the administration.

Opposition leaders have remarked they would boycott a commission appointed by politicians.

For now, thousands of Israelis rally against Netanyahu gov't days before election remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.