Largest protests since the war began

Relatives of hostages in Gaza have taken part in what have been described as the largest demonstrations in Israel since the start of the war.

And now the protest movement is starting a tent action outside the Knesset.

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday night in protest against the government. In Tel Aviv, between 10 and 20 participants have been arrested, according to Israeli media.

Two people who were released from hostages also participated in the protests. From the stage, they criticized Prime Minister Netanayhu’s handling of the conflict, reports The Times of Israel.

– They will not make it there, no one can survive what they go through there, said Raz Ben Ami, whose husband is still captured in Gaza.

“Die Every Day”

Aviva Siegel, who also has her husband still in Gaza, addressed Netanyahu directly:

– Stop talking about victory, stop talking about military pressure. Nothing will work. Nothing has worked until now. They die there every day.

Until now, the association Forum for Hostages and Missing Families has avoided condemning the government in its demonstrations, according to The Times of Israel.

Action at the Knesset

But Prime Minister Netanyahu abandoned the hostages on October 7 and has failed to reach an agreement, claims Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker.

– Since you constantly engage in sabotaging a settlement, we have realized that you are the obstacle to the settlement, she said in a speech in Jerusalem on Saturday evening.

– You are the obstacle. You are the one who stands between us and our loved ones returning home.

Now the protest movement is also setting up a tent camp outside the Israeli Knesset parliament, reports Haaretz.

The operation is expected to last four days and is described by the newspaper as the most significant since Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel on October 7.