Israelis sind wieder auf den Straßen: Slogans gegen Netanyahu wurden skandiert
Israelis are protesting again: slogans were chanted against Netanyahu
Israelis have taken to the streets across the country once again to demand a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a prisoner exchange agreement, and the resignation of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Protesters were also heard chanting slogans against Netanyahu.
The demonstrations, which are held every Saturday in Israel against the Netanyahu government, continued with wide participation this week. Tens of thousands of people joined anti-government groups to criticize the government’s indifference to ending the attacks on Gaza and bringing back the captives. They also called for the resignation of the „most right-wing government“ in the country’s history and early elections.
Protests demanding the government’s resignation and the return of prisoners took place in various cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, Birussebi, West Jerusalem, and Caesarea, where Netanyahu’s residence is located. The main gathering point was Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv, where tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in the evening to protest against the judicial regulations of the Netanyahu government.
Protesters carrying Israeli flags held banners and posters criticizing Netanyahu and his government. Speeches were made on platforms set up on the street criticizing the government’s actions. Relatives of Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip also spoke out against Netanyahu and his government in front of the nearby Defense Ministry.
Demonstrators beat drums and whistles, demanding the return of captives and shouting slogans against Netanyahu. They chanted, „(Netanyahu) Bibi, release the captives!“ Speaking at the protest, the mother of Israeli prisoner Matan, Einav Zangauker, criticized Netanyahu for obstructing the ceasefire agreement.
Anti-government protesters marched from Kaplan Street to the ministry building, demanding a prisoner exchange. Demonstrators then proceeded through the city streets in large groups. Israeli police intervened with mounted troops to prevent the demonstrators from advancing to the Ayalon Highway. Clashes between the police and demonstrators were reported.
More than a thousand demonstrators gathered with Israeli flags in Haifa and Caesarea, shouting slogans against the government and calling for its resignation. Similar protests took place in West Jerusalem, demanding the government to sign an agreement to release captives.
The international community has accused Netanyahu of not agreeing to a prisoner exchange with Hamas for political reasons. A new ceasefire and a mutual prisoner exchange agreement, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, are being discussed in Cairo. Israel has stated that it will not send a delegation to Cairo unless they respond to Hamas‘ ceasefire offer.
Senior figures in Israel, especially Netanyahu, have threatened to attack Rafah, despite warnings from the international community. Hamas is demanding a permanent ceasefire in the prisoner exchange agreement. According to Israeli authorities, there are more than 130 Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip, some alive and some dead.
Israelis have closed roads and intersections in various parts of the country to demand the resignation of the government and the return of captives in the Gaza Strip. The country faces accusations of „genocide“ at the International Court of Justice for the humanitarian disaster and destruction caused by attacks on the Gaza Strip.
