Protests against the Netanyahu government, held weekly on Saturdays and calling for an agreement to return Israeli prisoners from the Gaza Strip, continued with large participation.
Thousands of people renewed their campaigns, criticizing the indifference of the political will to return Gaza prisoners and the management of the war, demanding the resignation of the country’s “far-right government” and early elections.
Demonstrations were held in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Birussebi, Caesarea and Jerusalem, as well as in various other locations, demanding the resignation of the government and the return of the prisoners.
Details of the protests
- The center of the protests was Tiger Street in Tel Aviv, where prosecutors holding Israeli flags, held banners against Prime Minister Netanyahu and made speeches criticizing the government.
- Former Israeli Prime Minister and main opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized Netanyahu’s visit to the US, saying, “Don’t go to Washington just to show off again.”
- Relatives of Israeli prisoners criticized Netanyahu and his cabinet members in front of the Ministry of Defense, accusing them of “obstructing the agreement to return the prisoners.”
- The demonstrators chanted slogans against Netanyahu and his government and demanded the release of the prisoners. A group of demonstrators protested in costumes imitating Netanyahu and his wife Sara.
- While Israeli police clashed with demonstrators, the demonstrators continued their actions in different areas, demanding the resignation of the government and a prisoner exchange.
Netanyahu and the Prisoner Swap Deal
Netanyahu is accused by Israeli and international circles of not agreeing to a prisoner swap deal with Hamas for political reasons. Negotiations are ongoing between the parties to halt Israel’s attacks on Gaza.
While it was reported that Netanyahu did not agree to an agreement due to pressure from his far-right coalition partners, it was stated that the security and intelligence agencies had expressed their views in favor of an agreement.
It was reported that Netanyahu caused difficulties in the prisoner swap negotiations with his new demands and delayed the agreement.
