Gadi Kedem, who lost several of his family members during the October 7 Hamas attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz, was attacked on Saturday night by a right-wing protester during an anti-government demonstration in Tel Aviv, and hospitalized, according to Israeli media reports.
תיעוד: התקיפה נגד גדי קדם, שכמה מבני משפחתו נרצחו בטבח 7 באוקטובר, בהפגנה נגד הממשלה בתל אביב. שני החשודים שנעצרו על ידי המשטרה - שוחררו@daniel_elazar pic.twitter.com/s3UkE1YjmU
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) May 18, 2024
Kedem said several protesters who hit him were holding a sign that read “Leftists are traitors.” He said he would file a complaint with the police, Walla reported.
The police released a statement, stating, “Police officers present at the scene worked to maintain public order, handled the incident and separated those involved,” Kan News reported.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir responded to the altercation Sunday morning in an interview with 103FM, “When I saw pictures of the members of the Kedem family, I saw the same person beating and attacking the right-wing demonstrators.”
Thousands gathered at the Azrieli intersection to demonstrate against the government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Protesters also blocked the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv for a short period.
Anti-government protests were also held in Jerusalem, Beersheba, Caesarea, and Haifa. In Beersheba, demonstrators called for elections now, KAN noted.
Protesters lit a bonfire near Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea and called for his resignation.
Rally at Hostages Square
Concurrently, a rally was held in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, where Eden Golan sang the original version of her Eurovision Contest song “October Rain.”
At that rally, former hostage Sahar Kalderon spoke of her father, Ofer Kalderon, who is still captive in Gaza. “For eight months, my siblings and I have been without a father. For eight months, my father’s life has been put on hold as he suffers. Who knows how much longer his life will remain like this?”
She then directly addressed her father, saying, “Dad, when I wake up in the morning, I think of you. When I go to sleep, I think of you. Every second of the day, I wonder how you are, how you are managing there; if you are even eating at all.”
“Dad, I promise you that no matter what, you will come back, and we will never stop fighting for you,” she continued. “Please stay strong, we all love you.”
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a videotaped speech to the rally.
She told the families of the hostages, “Let me first express my deepest sympathy for the losses that have been suffered and for those families who are still separated from their loved ones. I know, having met family members of hostages, how deep the pain is, and I know that you will never stop advocating for the release of your loved ones, your family members, your friends, everyone who was kidnapped and is being held hostage.”
In her speech, Clinton noted that the hostage are citizens of 17 different countries and embrace five different religions.
“Action should be taken immediately to bring them home. President Biden, I, and so many Americans stand with you as you seek their return. I will pray for them and for you that you are reunited soon. This terrible tragedy of their being held hostage must end now,” she concluded.
The German ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert, the US ambassador to Israel, Jack Lew, and social media influencer Montana Tucker also attended the rally at Hostages Square.