Hundreds at Jerusalem silent rally call for hostage return, criticize government

Several hundred people gather on Jerusalem’s Kaplan Street, near the Knesset, for a silent rally paying homage to those killed on October 7 and praying for the hostages.

The gathering — organized by Shomrim Al Habayit Hameshutaf (Safeguarding our Joint Home), which used to run protests against the government’s planned judicial overhaul — is quiet, without drums and bullhorns.

Eitan Zur, the brother of Amir Zur, a soldier in the Sayeret Matkal unit who was killed on October 7 at Kibbutz Kfar Aza, mourned his brother, a humorous, righteous person who attended the anti-judicial overhaul rallies whenever he had a weekend off.

Despite the pain and sorrow, says Zur, “we need to fix our reality,” he says. “The reality won’t change if we don’t find a new direction.”

Former Jerusalem deputy mayor Tamir Nir, a Reform rabbi, recites a prayer for the hostages.

Tzivya Guggenheim, a student at Shalem Center, says the Knesset and other government institutions near where the protest is taking place “have failed in their responsibilities.”

“We’re here to make sure this generation has what’s needed. I promise in the name of my generation that this country will be better.”