Israel witnessed widespread anti-government demonstrations on Thursday, with thousands of people taking to the streets nationwide. The protests, fueled by public frustration with the government’s handling of the Gaza conflict and the ongoing hostage crisis, saw significant gatherings outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residences in Caesarea and Jerusalem.
An estimated 3,000 people gathered outside Netanyahu’s home in Caesarea, while another 5,000 marched from the Chords Bridge in Jerusalem to Azza Street, where the Prime Minister also has a residence. Smaller demonstrations were also held in other cities throughout the country.
Protesters displayed signs demanding the removal of the government, citing its failure to secure the release of hostages abducted by Hamas on October 7th and its perceived mishandling of the war effort. Demonstrators chanted slogans through megaphones, waved flags, and banged on drums while police officers stood at barricades.
One sign prominently displayed in the crowd read, “We’ve been abandoned — Elections now!” Protesters in Caesarea were heard shouting, “How much more blood will be spilled until you leave?” and “Bring home the hostages and leave.”
As the sun began to set, protesters in Jerusalem blocked traffic and lit a large fire. Police in Jerusalem reported restoring order after demonstrators set fire to a road in a residential neighborhood and another group attempted to breach a police barricade. While no major scuffles were reported, and police refrained from using water cannons, they did detain a suspect heading towards Jerusalem carrying flammable materials and devices for smoke screens. Authorities also discovered a stash of tires filled with flammable cloths intended to block traffic on Route 1. In Caesarea, police discovered a smoke grenade attached to a wire near Netanyahu’s residence, where the demonstration was set to take place.
Netanyahu’s Likud party issued a statement condemning the protests, claiming that “incitement against Prime Minister Netanyahu has crossed another red line tonight… The writing is on the wall.”
Among the demonstrators in Jerusalem was Einav Tzangauker, whose son Matan is being held captive in Gaza. Tzangauker, who has become a prominent figure at the nightly demonstrations, accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his political survival over securing the release of hostages. “The prime minister has decided to give up on the hostages,” Tzangauker stated, adding, “We will topple him to bring them home and to bring back security to the citizens of Israel.” She declared, “There will not be a deal or reconstruction without the fall of the Netanyahu regime. When he falls, we will rise.”
Negotiations for the release of the hostages, estimated at 116, have stalled recently. Hamas insists that the war must end before any hostages are released, a condition rejected by Netanyahu’s government. Both the US and Israel have accused Hamas of rejecting Israel’s latest offer earlier this month.
The conflict in Gaza began on October 7th with Hamas’s attack on southern Israel. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 others into Gaza. Israel claims that at least 42 of those abducted by Hamas have since died, with unofficial estimates potentially higher. Families are deeply concerned about the fate of those still alive.
Despite gaining control over most of the Gaza Strip and significantly weakening Hamas’s military capabilities, Israeli forces have only managed to rescue seven hostages alive and have not located most of Hamas’s senior leaders. During a week-long ceasefire in November, 105 civilians were released from Hamas captivity, and four hostages were freed earlier. The bodies of 19 hostages, including three killed accidentally by the military, have been recovered. Hamas continues to hold two Israeli civilians who entered the Strip in 2014 and 2015, as well as the remains of two IDF soldiers killed in 2014.
