AI Brief
- Tens of thousands gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv for an anti-government demonstration ahead of Israel's general election.
- The rally, organized by the October Council, focused on personal stories and called for an independent inquiry into the October 7 Hamas attack.
- The Netanyahu government has resisted calls for a state commission, while opposition leaders pledged to establish one if elected.
TENS of thousands of Israelis gathered at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, for an anti-government demonstration, a few days ahead of the general election on Tuesday.
The right-wing coalition led by incumbent Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces a major challenge in its bid to remain in power.
The rally was organized by the October Council, a forum bringing together bereaved families, hostage families and captivity survivors. Organizers said politics would be set aside - no political-party speeches and no party symbols on stage - with the focus instead placed on the human stories of the past three years. They also demand an independent state commission of inquiry into the failures surrounding the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023.
The central call from the rally was for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry to uncover the truth about the October 7 attack. The Netanyahu government has resisted calls for such a committee, while those seeking to replace the prime minister have pledged to establish one as a first step.
Among those gathered, feelings of hope and despair were mixed.
"It brings hope because half of the people in Israel want to change this government. Unfortunately, there is a problem because we are not sure that this half will win the election, I truly hope so," said Shula Sarid, a resident at the rally.
"I feel a wind of change. I feel that there is a lot of hope in the hearts of at least the people who came here and I know that many of the other millions who did not come here are wishing for a change, wishing for hope. We want to feel that we have a bright future, bright faith, and that is why we are here," said Eli David, another resident at the rally.
