Anti-government protesters gather in Tel Aviv to call for early elections, hostage deal

Demonstrators are congregating at Democracy Square in Tel Aviv to protest against the government and call for early elections and a deal to release hostages held by Hamas.

The protest is being organized by Change Generation, a movement founded in the wake of October 7, demanding the release of hostages and a change in Israeli leadership.

Police have barricaded off chunks of Begin Street and Kaplan Street to contain the demonstration, as well as nearby exits to the Ayalon Freeway to prevent protesters from blocking traffic, as they often do.

After the demonstration’s official portion consisting of speakers ends, protesters will join the hostage families’ protest down the street on Begin.

Tonight’s speakers include Prof. Yaniv Roznai, a constitutional scholar who has been a critic of the government’s judicial overhaul efforts prior to the war; Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan has been held hostage in Gaza since October; and Avner Yarkoni, a lawyer and former IAF pilot.