Thousands of Israelis took to the streets over the weekend to express their frustration and anger at the Israeli government’s handling of the hostage crisis involving people held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The discovery of the bodies of six hostages by Israeli soldiers in an underground tunnel in the Rafah region of southern Gaza has sparked a wave of outrage across the country. The deaths have led to massive protests from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, with citizens demanding more decisive action from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government to secure the release of those who are still held hostage. Intense emotions were seen at the weekend protests,
which included participants representing a wide spectrum of Israeli society – families of hostages, ordinary citizens and political figures – all united in demanding prompt government action. Many protesters wore Israeli flags, symbolizing their solidarity and their demand for a national response to this ongoing crisis. In Tel Aviv, where one of the biggest protests took place, demonstrators broke through police lines to block Ayalon Highway, one of the city’s main routes. The scene was full of emotion as some climbed onto buses and coaches to get a better view of the massive crowd, while others surrounded a man wearing a mask of Prime Minister Netanyahu, and chanted: “Alive, alive, we want him alive.” The sense of urgency was palpable. Many protesters carried placards accusing the government of inaction. One placard read, “You are the leader. You are guilty,” pointing directly at Netanyahu. Another common slogan among the crowd was “Shame, shame,” aimed at both the government and the police. The protests were not just confined to the streets. The Histadrut, Israel’s largest labor union,
called for a nationwide general strike on Monday to pressure the government to release the hostages. Union leader Arnon Bar-David stressed the importance of reaching an agreement: “We must reach an agreement. An agreement is more important than anything else.” His words resonated with many Israelis who feel the government’s current strategy is not yielding results. Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai echoed these sentiments, announcing that municipal workers would be free to join the strike to show solidarity with the hostages and their families. He made it clear that the city stands with their families in their fight for justice and action. The protests on Sunday were largely peaceful, but they also saw tense moments. There was a large police presence, trying to control the protesters, especially those who blocked highways and set fires. Some officers used stun grenades to disperse the crowd, injuring some people.
Labor Party MP Naama Lazimi was also among those injured. She fell while trying to escape the chaos caused by the stun grenades, but she described the protest as “important and crucial.” Lazimi’s words reflect the sentiment of many Israelis, who believe this moment could be a turning point. One protester, Eli Shtivi, whose son Idan is currently held hostage in Gaza, expressed his frustration to the BBC: “We hope that the people who make the decisions will wake up. We don’t have any more time.” His words reflect the growing desperation and anxiety of families who are waiting for their loved ones to come back home. Shtivi’s pain was echoed by many others who attended the rallies, who hoped that the government would understand the need and act accordingly. Another protester, Noga Berkman, shared her reason for joining the march: “I can’t stay at home anymore. People understand that now we need to break the rules and do something.” She, like many others, believes that more direct action is needed to force the government to negotiate. The demonstrations have involved people from different walks of life, all united by a common purpose: bringing the hostages back home. Protests in Jerusalem, particularly outside the Prime Minister’s Office, were equally large, with
crowds demanding immediate intervention from the government. The rallies saw a varied mix of people, from young scouts to older citizens who have seen decades of conflict and want to see a different approach to the current crisis. Yotam Pe’er, 24, whose younger brother was killed in Hamas attacks on 7 October, expressed his frustration. “When we heard about the six hostages, we couldn’t stay silent any longer. This is really important. We have no choice anymore,” he told the BBC. His words reflect a growing sentiment among many Israelis who feel that time is running out and a different approach is urgently needed. A complex situation: demands for an agreement and a wider debate The urgency to secure a mortgage deal has been building for weeks. The Mortgage Family Forum, an organisation that is working
