Protests Calling for Gaza Exchange Deal, Early Elections Sweep Israel

Protesters say Prime Minister Netanyahu is not seeking to free the captives held in Gaza and instead wishes to continue the war

Tens of thousands of Israelis took to the streets in protest of the Netanyahu government on the evening of 6 April, calling for early elections and demanding an immediate deal to secure the release of the 133 captives still held by Hamas in Gaza, Haaretz reported.

Protests took place in multiple Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Be'er Sheva, Haifa, and Caesarea, and were joined by members of the captives' families...

Protesters chanted, "Police, police, who exactly are you guarding," and "Ben-Gvir is a terrorist," referring to Itamar Ben Gvir, the National Security Minister who has opposed a deal with Hamas to reach a ceasefire and release the Israeli captives.

Five protesters were run over by a driver who refused to obey police orders when encountering the demonstrators...

In Jerusalem, Sharon Sharabi, whose brother Yossi was taken captive by Hamas but killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza and whose other brother Eli is still captive, said that the agreement between the state and its citizens was "violated on October 7. It doesn't matter if they are religious or secular, right-wing or left-wing, Ashkenazi or Sephardi."

....Former Mossad Chief Danny Yatom said during the demonstration that Netanyahu was seeking to keep the war in Gaza going because "it seems to him that as long as the guns are roaring, it is easier for him to 'dissolve' his criminal trial," and that freeing the captives was not a priority for the prime minister...

In the protest in Haifa, former Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon said that "the military campaign in Gaza has reached its limit."

"Our soldiers are forced to re-occupy places that were occupied a few weeks ago and become police forces for a population full of rage and hatred," he added.

Adina Moshe, who was taken captive by Hamas on 7 October but released following a temporary ceasefire deal in November... directed her comments at Netanyahu, saying: "I want you to know that if they don't come back, their blood is on your hands. You betrayed us... you will remain forever guilty."

... Yael Or, the niece of the captive Dror Or, blamed the government for failing to reach a deal. "Netanyahu continues to torpedo a deal for the release of the hostages as they die in captivity," she said.

🔗Source: The Cradle

Related: 4/7 — Body of Israeli Hostage Recovered From Gaza After ‘Months of Torture’

Mr Katzir's sister Carmit Palty Katzir said her brother had been abandoned and called the Israeli government "cowardly".

"He could have been saved if a deal would have happened on time," Ms Katzir wrote on Facebook.

"Our leadership is cowardly and devoid of political considerations and therefore it didn't happen...."

4/6 — Anti-Government Protesters Injured in Hit and Run in Tel Aviv

4/6 — Israel Ignored Deal to ‘Free All Civilians’ From Gaza Soon After 7 Oct: Qatar

4/4 — Shin Bet Threatens Israeli Protesters After Violent Clashes

4/1 — Israel Attempts to Pressure Netanyahu as Thousands Gather for the Largest Protest Since War Began

3/30 — Thousands of Israelis Rally in Tel Aviv, Call for Deal to Free Captives

3/24 — Yesterday: Israeli Hostage Families Urge Joe Biden To Push Netanyahu To Agree Ceasefire

3/23 — Chaos erupts in Tel Aviv during large anti-Netanyahu protests, calling for an exchange deal and the return of Israeli prisoners in Gaza

3/4 — Israel Boycotts Hostage Deal Talks in Cairo

2/27 — Yesterday, anti-Netanyahu & anti-war protests rocked Tel Aviv in a way they haven’t since before October 7th. Hostage families & many others came out to stand up to the government

1/23 — Relatives of Hostages Disrupt Israeli Knesset Meeting, Demand More Action

1/23 — Majority of Israelis Believe Netanyahu Is Acting Primarily for Personal Interest

Substack | Twitter | Minds

📡 Follow:
@G3News