Thousands of Israelis rally against Netanyahu gov’t days before election
Thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv against the government, demanding an independent inquiry into the security failures that led to the October 7 attacks, just three days before a general election.
The protest was organized by the October Council, a group founded by families of captives taken to Gaza three years ago. Demonstrators gathered at Tel Aviv's public plaza known as Hostages Square to demand accountability for the government's failure to prevent the Hamas attack that preceded the war.
Opposition figures participated in the rally, including Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party, Netanyahu's main center-right rival. Eisenkot was greeted by chants of "Who's coming? The next prime minister" as he arrived at the protest.
Election tensions
Polls suggest a tight race in Tuesday's election, with Netanyahu's right-wing bloc neck and neck with Eisenkot's. Neither bloc is currently projected to obtain a majority of seats in Israel's parliament. The election could influence whether Israel launches another round of strikes on Iran, as Eisenkot is believed to be less inclined to resume military action against Tehran.
Three days before the election, we will hold the culminating event marking three years of struggle to uncover the truth, demand accountability and establish a state commission of inquiry.
Commission dispute
The October Council aims to hold Israeli officials accountable for the October 7 attacks. Netanyahu's government has refused demands for an independent commission, offering instead a "political" commission with half its members appointed by the government and half by opposition legislators. Opposition leaders have said they would boycott such a commission.
Ahead of the protest, the October Council alerted law enforcement to possible "provocations" from pro-government agitators, having sent an urgent letter to the Police Commissioner about attempts by entities linked to the coalition to disrupt the rally.
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