Highlights: More than 100,000 demonstrators demand early elections in front of the Knesset. Hostage families angry at government inaction join forces with Benyamin Netanyahu's opponents to demand his departure. It is the largest gathering since October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out an attack in Israel, killing more than 1,000 people. For the first time, the leaders of the Israeli opposition spoke at this gigantic gathering, also demanding political change. For Avraham Farhi, a protester, the time has come to change the government.

More than 100,000 participants, according to the organizers, gathered this Sunday evening in front of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. Hostage families angry at government inaction...

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“Elections now”: in Israel, thousands of demonstrators demand early elections in front of the Knesset

More than 100,000 participants, according to the organizers, gathered this Sunday evening in front of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. Hostage families angry at the government's inaction to secure the release of their loved ones have joined forces with Benyamin Netanyahu's opponents to demand his departure. A demonstration which should continue for several days.

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A large demonstration took place in front of the Knesset in Jerusalem on March 31, 2024, to demand early elections. © Leo Correa / AP

By: RFI Follow

With our correspondent in Jerusalem,

Michel Paul

“

Elections now

”, proclaim the demonstrators symbolically massed around the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament. It is the largest gathering since October 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out an attack in Israel, killing more than 1,000 people.

This political demonstration, for the first time, brought together anti-reform organizations of the judicial system with the families of the hostages. The organizers had announced an angry rally and the police had to intervene in force to disperse groups of demonstrators who were blocking the main arteries of Jerusalem. The police notably used water cannons to clear a blocked road.

For Avraham Farhi, a protester, the time has come to change the government: “

We are at a crossroads. And I am for early elections as soon as possible. Even if it's in the middle of a war. Otherwise the situation will get even worse. And it is already catastrophic.

» Much more skeptical, Jean-Pierre Ben Chriqui does not see a way out of the crisis. “

I think that this war serves the powers that be, whether

Benyamin Netanyahu
or those of Hamas. There is collusion between these two powers which makes me fear that the future will not be clear tomorrow

.”

For the first time since October 7, the leaders of the Israeli opposition spoke at this gigantic gathering, also demanding political change. And the response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not long in coming. “

Elections now, in the midst of war, would paralyze Israel for at least six months. They would paralyze the negotiations for the release of our hostages [...], the first to welcome this would be Hamas

,” he warned.

Also read: “We are at the end of our tether!”: demonstrations in Israel to demand elections and the release of hostages

“Elections now”: in Israel, thousands of demonstrators demand early elections in front of the Knesset

“Elections now”: in Israel, thousands of demonstrators demand early elections in front of the Knesset

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