“We‘re here to say we refuse the bombing of civilians, we refuse starvation, we refuse war crimes, we refuse the genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.”
Israeli anti-war activists clashed with police during a demonstration against the war on Gaza in Tel Aviv on Sunday.
One demonstrator says they refuse to remain silent while Israelis continue to commit “such hideous crimes against humanity” in a “growing fascist regime”.
(May 25, 2025)
Weekly demonstration of relatives of hostages and others, demanding a deal to release the hostages in captivity in Gaza and against Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the way the government handled the war with Hamas.
According to The Jerusalem Post, the US official told attendees Israel could face “a much heavier price” if it continues to oppose a ceasefire deal.
“President Trump is determined to move forward with a significant deal with Saudi Arabia, even without Israeli involvement,” the official reportedly said. “The ceasefire agreement with the Houthis is just a prelude. If Israel doesn’t come to its senses, even the ‘Deal of the Millennium’ will happen without it.”
The report said families of the captives hoped the meeting would result in greater international pressure on Israeli leaders to act.
(…)
Israeli protesters have clashed with police in Jerusalem, demanding the return of hostages from Gaza and the removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The demonstration was one of many across Israel, as public anger grows over the resumed bombing of Gaza and increasing discontent with Netanyahu’s government.
Streamed live 17 hours ago #netanyahu #israel #live
Watch live as protesters rally against Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu following his nomination of a new domestic security chief, Vice Adm. Eli Sharvit, after he moved to fire Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar over a crisis of confidence that critics say is politically motivated.
Several thousands of protesters against the far-right government and in support for the immediate release of the hostages blocked Monday, March 31, all entrances to the Knesset in Jerusalem, as part of the 14th consecutive day of mass protests.
For another consecutive week, tens of thousands of people demonstrated across Israel Saturday evening (March 29) for the release of remaining hostages held in Gaza and against the war in Gaza and the far-right government.
A rally against the government led by a coalition of protest groups was held at 6:30 p.m. at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square. After the demonstration, protesters marched to Begin Road to join hostages’ families demonstrating there at 8 p.m. Separately, a rally at Hostages Square at 8 p.m. organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum
The families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas on Saturday (March 22) called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to a new hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza.
In his pre-recorded address at Hostages Square, Ben Ami thanked the protesters who have come out week after week to draw attention to the plight of the hostages and ensure that they remain in the public eye.
What keeps you going is that suddenly you see a nation fighting for you,” he said. “You have no idea, no idea how much power that gives to those left behind.”
(February 9, 2025)
Government delays Security Cabinet talks on Phase II of hostage deal despite public outrage; families urge swift action after freed hostages appeared gaunt and frail, underscoring dire state of 76 captives still held in Gaza
(December 24, 2024)
According to a poll published by Maariv on Friday, a substantial 74% of the public says Israel should pursue a comprehensive deal to secure the return of all hostages, even if it requires halting the fighting in Gaza. Among opposition voters, support reaches 84%, while 57% of coalition voters agree. In contrast, only 16% favor a partial deal, and 10% remain undecided.
In addition, text messages published Thursday purport to show that Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Prime Minister Netanyahu, was instrumental in efforts to combat those perceived as enemies of the family, going so far as to instruct her husband’s secretary to send activists of his Likud party to hurl obscenities at their neighbors, the parents of a fallen military pilot, who were active in demonstrations against the premier.
The correspondence of Benjamin Netanyahu’s late aide Hanni Bleiweiss, published by Channel 12 investigative program “Uvda” (facts), indicated that the premier’s wife and son were active in efforts to dig up dirt on his political rivals; intimidate key actors in his corruption trial; and sic law enforcement on protesters against him, while seeking the promotion of police officers who complied with the request.
(November 10, 2024)
Protests calling against Netanyhau’s government and for the release of hostages were also held Saturday evening in Jerusalem, Beersheba, Haifa, Kfar Sava, Raanana Junction, Nes Ziona, Ashkelon, Kiryat Gat, Rehovot, Karkur Junction, the southern Shaar HaNegev crossroad, Zikhron Yaacov and other localities. Five people were arrested in Jerusalem, Haifa and Karkur. At Haifa the police attacked again a protest vigil at Central Carmel, Activists from the Anti-Occupation Bloc, among them Hadash activists, demanded the end of the deadly war in Gaza and Lebanon and during the protest cops confiscated signs against the massacre in Gaza
(July 7, 2024)
There are exceptions of course. The Reform Movement issued a statement supporting President Joe Biden’s announcement of a potential ceasefire and hostage release plan, and calling on Netanyahu to accept it. T’ruah, the organization I lead, has been clear in our calls for a bilateral ceasefire that brings home the hostages and ends the war. Ditto our partners in the Progressive Israel Network, including J Street, Americans for Peace Now, New York Jewish Agenda and New Israel Fund.
But many of the largest Jewish organizations, including legacy groups such as Jewish Federations of North America, American Jewish Committee and the Anti-Defamation League have decoupled calls to “Bring them Home” from any talk of ending the war, and have refrained from placing any blame on the Israeli government.
„A deal for the return of the abductees has been on the table for over two months,“ the forum said. „If it weren‘t for the thwarting [of the deal], the excuses and the spins, the abductees whose deaths we learned of this morning would probably be alive.
„Enough with the excuses. Enough with the spins. Enough of the procrastination!
The time has come to return our abductees home – the living for rehabilitation and the victims and the murdered for burial in their own country.“
(August 31, 2024)
In a statement read out in front of the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv, family members of the hostages accuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government of knowingly condemning the hostages to death.
“Netanyahu and his partners in the cabinet decided to torpedo the [hostage-ceasefire] deal due to the Philadelphia spin, and as such knowingly condemn the hostages to death,” the statement says.
Einav Zangauker, mother of Hamas hostage Matan Zangauker, calls Netanyahu “Mr. Death.”
The press conference will take place amid public demonstrations against his government for not doing enough to secure a hostage deal in the wake of the murder of six hostages,..
A video on Aug 29 said to show relatives of hostages holding a protest near the Gaza border. In the video, people can be seen breaching the fence & running toward their loved ones. They reportedly heeded pleas from security forces & made their way back to kibbutz nirim. Watch this video for all the details.
She told CNN that while she has been attending protests against the prime minister for years, this time feels different.
“I have never felt such rage and hatred towards a person since I was born. And I’m 66 I don’t remember myself feeling what I feel about this person, the f****** Bibi, there is no other word for him,” she said.
“He doesn’t take responsibility and I don’t believe he cares but for himself, even in those difficult times. He’s the criminal who’s capable to take us to the drain,” she said.