Protesters demanding a hostage deal hold a banner reading, "It's enough, what about their freedom?" during a march in Jerusalem, April 17, 2025. (Noam Amir/Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)
Around a thousand anti-government protesters are calling for a hostage deal outside Netanyahu’s private residence in Jerusalem.
While waving signs playing on the Passover holiday’s celebration of freedom, demonstrators marched earlier from the government complex to their current location.
One protester’s sign reads: “There is no freedom so long as they [the hostages] are there,” while another plays on a song traditionally sung at the Passover seder: “59, who knows?”
The Democrats party chairman, Yair Golan, is also in attendance, shaking protesters’ hands as he moves through the crowd before giving an impromptu speech.
Golan was knocked down by police last month during an anti-government protest in the same spot.
“We have a giant task — to bring hope to the people and citizens of Israel,” says Golan to protesters.
Democrats party chairman Yair Golan speaks at an anti-government protest outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s private residence in Jerusalem on April 17, 2025. (Charlie Summers/Times of Israel)
He calls for new elections, urging protesters to “fight this government with all of our power” and build a governing alternative.
Police and Border Police officers are manning crowd control barricades, keeping protesters from drawing close to the premier’s home.
No arrests have been made so far.
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From the Liveblog of
Thursday, April 17, 2025
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