21-1-2024 (TEL AVIV) Thousands of Israelis turned out in Tel Aviv on Saturday night to voice their discontent with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, expressing concerns over the handling of national security and calling for new elections.
The anti-government protests, which dominated much of 2023, had subsided after the attacks by Hamas in southern Israel on Oct 7. During that time, political differences were set aside as Israelis united in support of the military and the families affected by the conflict.
However, with the ongoing war in Gaza now in its fourth month and polls indicating waning support for Netanyahu, demands for leadership change have grown louder. Despite this, there are currently no immediate indications that his position is under immediate threat.
This sentiment was evident in the smaller turnout at Saturday night’s gathering in a central Tel Aviv square, the same location where numerous protests took place the previous year. Although the crowd was smaller, it still consisted of several thousand people who passionately expressed their grievances by banging on drums, shouting their discontent, and waving Israeli flags.
Noam Alon, whose brother—an Israeli soldier—was killed while attempting to clear an Israeli town from Hamas gunmen, addressed the crowd from the stage. She criticized the government, stating that it had abandoned them not only on Oct 7 but every day since. Alon highlighted the plight of those evacuated from the borders, the families of victims, reservists, and hostages. She emphasized the power of the people to effect change and called for the current government to step down immediately.
Tel Aviv???????? MASSIVE Protest in central Tel Aviv against Israel’s government.
Signs read: “Elections now”
“Netanyahu is a disaster! Leave!
We will rebuild our country ourselves!” pic.twitter.com/BWJO2a3dIz— Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) January 20, 2024
In response to Alon’s call, the crowd echoed, shouting in unison, “Now! Now!”
While divisions have emerged among members of Netanyahu’s cabinet during the war, the prime minister remains determined to remain in power. Opposition leaders have proposed the formation of a unity government that does not include Netanyahu, but no significant progress has been made in that regard.
