Anti-government protest demanding release of hostages kicks off in Tel Aviv

An anti-government protest spotlighting the speeches from family members of hostages is underway in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square.

Before any speakers came up to the stage, a parody of “The Sound of Silence” calling for the resignation of Israel’s current government played for demonstrators on the giant screen facing the crowd.

The demonstration’s first speaker, Shirel Hogeg, tells the audience that they “are the generation of victory” and that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “playing politics with medicine for the hostages,” alluding to reports that he hid the details of the Qatar-brokered deal to deliver medications to hostages in Gaza from Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

A small altercation at the center of the protest, involving a counter-protester who fell on the ground and shouted at the crowd, calling them “haters of Israel,” interrupted his ascent to the stage.

However, most counter-protesters remained at the margins of the protest.