Jerusalem and Tel Aviv: Tensions flared as demonstrators, demanding accountability for last month’s deadly attack by Hamas gunmen on communities near the Gaza Strip, clashed with the police outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem.
Hundreds of protesters, brandishing blue and white Israeli flags and chanting “Jail now!”, breached police barriers to voice their discontent with the government’s handling of the situation.
The protest coincided with a poll revealing that over three-quarters of Israelis believe that Prime Minister Netanyahu should step down from his position. This widespread sentiment underscores the growing public anger directed towards their political and security leaders.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, as of now, has not personally assumed responsibility for the failures that permitted the surprise assault on October 7, during which hundreds of Hamas gunmen infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in over 1,400 casualties and the abduction of at least 240 individuals.
As the initial shock subsided, public resentment has intensified, particularly among families of the hostages held in Gaza, who have been critical of the government’s response and are urging for the return of their loved ones.
In Tel Aviv, thousands of demonstrators took to the streets, displaying flags and images of the captives in Gaza, alongside posters bearing slogans such as “Release the hostages now at all costs.” The crowd’s rallying cry was a resounding “bring them home now.”
