Tens of thousands took to the streets Tuesday night as news of the firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant broke.
Protesters and protest organizations called for "Gallant Night 2" a reference to a night of huge protests following the attempted sacking of Gallant during the judicial reform. Following those mass protests, the firing was eventually retracted.
Protests on Tuesday were called for dozens of locations around the country, with multiple highways and junctions blocked over the course of the night, as protesters sat in intersections and lit bonfires.
Major protests took place in Tel Aviv, where many thousands gathered, as well as in Jerusalem and Haifa. Two people were arrested in Haifa, three people were arrested in Jerusalem, and a handful of others were arrested at other demonstrations across the country, the Israel Police announced late on Tuesday. Furthermore, 25 people were arrested in Tel Aviv as of 1:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Haaretz reported.
A physical confrontation was recorded between the police and MK Gilad Kariv from the Labor Party at a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Ynet reported. On Tuesday overnight, the police began using water cannons to disperse protesters from the Ayalon freeway, Israeli media reported.
Protesters called to bring back the hostages, along with messages against Israel's government and the firing of the defense minister in the midst of the Israel-Hamas war.
Protesters also called for a day of "civil strike" starting Wednesday. "We are not waiting for the heads of the economy and labor union, starting tomorrow, and without a time limit we are stopping the country," protest organizations said in a statement.
'We are though with this'
University students called for a nationwide strike saying that "the hostages are abandoned and wasting away in Hamas captivity, combat soldiers are being killed every day in Gaza and Lebanon, and now Bibi choses politics over life again."
"Netanayhu is endangering the soldiers," chanted protesters in Jerusalem, who also called to "take down the dictator."Protesters gather at Ra’anana Junction. November 5, 2024. (Credit: Benny Meshy).
Israel Police were prepared for the protests, blocking roads before masses could arrive.
"The Israel Police are present at protest locations across the country in substantial numbers, ensuring security and maintaining public order. Their objective is to balance protestors' legitimate right to protest and the general freedom of movement for all," Israel Police said in a statement.
"We urge protesters to adhere to the instructions of officers on the ground and to act in a manner that does not jeopardize the safety of protesters, law enforcement, or other road users."
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum called the firing “a direct continuation of efforts to sabotage a hostage deal.” The families urged incoming Defense Minister Israel Katz to “explicitly commit to ending the war and to a comprehensive agreement for the immediate return of all hostages.”
The Forum described Gallant’s dismissal as “a sad reflection of the flawed priorities of the Israeli government,” stating that Israel has already achieved its primary military goals in Gaza: dismantling Hamas leadership, destroying its military infrastructure, blocking the Philadelphi Corridor, and neutralizing the majority of militants.
Protest organization Brothers and Sisters in Arms said that “this is the second time the prime minister tries to fire the defense minister who is guarding the country’s security with his body – now in the midst of a war. Stop the draft dodging and neglect!”
“Enough! We are through with this,” said the organization The Day After. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has decided to harm the country’s security to keep his coalition.”
"We are all taking to the streets into the night to stand by the families who have been abandoned by government members who are only concerned with their seat and with the draft dodging law," the Black Flags protest organization said. "Come save the country."
Eliav Breuer contributed to this report.