Thousands of Israelis protest in Tel Aviv three days before elections

Mass rally in Tel Aviv on the eve of voting

Three days before the general parliamentary elections, which many observers perceive as a referendum on the performance of Benjamin Netanyahu's government, thousands of Tel Aviv residents took to the streets with anti-government demands. The demonstration marked the culmination of a years-long struggle by civil society and the opposition to establish the truth about security failures.

“October Council” demands accountability

The initiative was launched by the “October Council” (October Council), which unites the families of those killed during the 7 October 2023 attack, as well as the relatives of hostages held by Palestinian militants. The main demand of the participants is to hold accountable those who failed to prevent the Hamas attack that triggered the war in the Gaza Strip.

The protest march began at central Rabin Square and ended at Hostages Square. This location has repeatedly served as the main stage for demands to release prisoners from Gaza.

Comments from participants and opposition leaders

Gadas Feuerstein, 68, who took part in the event, told AFP: “Those who have been leading us for the last four years (since the Netanyahu government took office at the end of 2022) have handled their task simply terribly” (Those who have been leading us for the last four years (since the Netanyahu government took office at the end of 2022) have handled their task simply terribly). She also added: “Israel has never been in a situation like the current one” (Israel has never been in a situation like the current one).

Leaders of the four main opposition parties participated in the rally. Among them was Gadi Eisenkot, whose electoral rating, according to the latest data, has almost caught up with the Prime Minister's figures.

Representatives of the “October Council” stated: “Three days before the elections, we will hold a final event marking three years of struggle to establish the truth, hold the guilty accountable, and create a state inquiry committee” (Three days before the elections, we will hold a final event marking three years of struggle to establish the truth, hold the guilty accountable, and create a state inquiry committee).

Political context and disputes over the investigation

The latest public opinion polls, published before the ban on publishing results came into force (which took effect on the night before Saturday), indicate that no political bloc will secure an absolute majority of seats in the new Knesset.

The key issue remains the form of the investigation into the events of 7 October. Benjamin Netanyahu's government refused to establish an independent inquiry committee — a tool that Israel has traditionally used to investigate high-profile incidents. Instead, the authorities proposed forming a so-called “political” committee, to be composed of representatives appointed by the ruling coalition and the opposition in equal proportions. However, opposition leaders had previously announced their intention to boycott such a body created by politicians.