Thousands demonstrated Thursday in Tel Aviv, in front of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Caesarea home, and in front of his home in Jerusalem, demanding elections.
“You are the head – you are guilty, resign now!,” demonstrators chanted.
In Jerusalem, some 1,500 people, and in Caesarea, 10,000 rallied, according to Israel Democracy HQ.
“In light of the negligence and helplessness of Netanyahu’s government, we are continuing and intensifying the pressure with a just and basic demand – returning the mandate to the public. The disregard for citizens and their suffering must stop. The people of Israel are no longer willing to pay the price for Netanyahu’s corruption and failure. Our future is at risk, and this is a moment of truth for responsibility and mutual solidarity. It is time to leave our homes and join the fight, calling for elections now before it is too late,” the organization said in a statement.
Shai Kedar, a reservist from Kibbutz Sde Nehemia, said, “Hundreds of thousands of dunams have been burned in recent weeks in the North. Houses, courtyards, forests, and agricultural land are going up in flames, and our hearts burn with them,” Shabakat Ha’poel reported.
Kedar continued, “And where is the prime minister? On his watch, the terrible failure of October 7 happened, as did a disgraceful conscription law that harms us – reserve soldiers – and, more importantly, the security of the State of Israel.
"On his watch, money meant for the Gaza periphery and the North is diverted – to settlements! They talk about settlements in Gaza and southern Lebanon but do nothing so we can return to Kiryat Shmona, Metulla, or Misgav Am!”
Protests in Tel Aviv Thursday morning
Shai Kedar, a reservist from Kibbutz Sde Nehemia, said, “Hundreds of thousands of dunams have been burned in recent weeks in the North. Houses, courtyards, forests, and agricultural land are going up in flames, and our hearts burn with them,” Shabakat Ha’poel reported.
Kedar continued, “And where is the prime minister? On his watch, the terrible failure of October 7 happened, as did a disgraceful conscription law that harms us – reserve soldiers – and, more importantly, the security of the State of Israel.
“On his watch, money meant for the Gaza periphery and the North is diverted – to settlements! They talk about settlements in Gaza and southern Lebanon but do nothing so we can return to Kiryat Shmona, Metulla, or Misgav Am!”
Protesters included relatives of hostages Ofer Calderon and Gadi Moses, including Yifat Calderon and Shay Moses.On Thursday afternoon, police arrested a man for cutting the lock on Netanyahu’s front gate in Caesarea using a disc and replacing it with another lock. The 71-year-old suspect from Kiryat Tivon was located in his car and taken in for questioning after he drove away from the scene.
According to the police, this was done in preparation for the protests at the prime minister’s Caesarea home at 7 p.m., which Israel Democracy HQ planned.
Additional demonstrators blocked other locations in Israel, including Ma’agan Michael and Elikim Kibbutzim, as well as near the Orot Rabin power plant in Hadera, according to Walla. At this location mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, Einav Zangauker, blocked the road.
“Netanyahu, you have lost. You cannot escape the blame; it will follow you to your grave. You chose your political survival over your people; over the hostages, the displaced, the reservists, the bereaved families...You lost. This failure is recorded in the history books. I will not let you bury Matan and the other hostages in the name of your political survival. We, the people, will prevail and bring the hostages and security back to the country,” Zangauker declared.