Jerusalem protesters: Government will learn the hard way what’s important to this nation

Gianluca Pacchiani is the Arab affairs reporter for The Times of Israel

Demonstrators at Jerusalem's government complex demand the return of hostages held in Gaza, September 1, 2024 (Gianluca Pacchiani/Times of Israel)
Demonstrators at Jerusalem's government complex demand the return of hostages held in Gaza, September 1, 2024 (Gianluca Pacchiani/Times of Israel)

Protesters outside the Knesset announce an additional rally tomorrow at 12 p.m. to disrupt the cabinet’s work.

“Members of the government, you will learn the hard way what is important to this nation,” an organizer shouts. “You will not have a moment of quiet.”

Yael Engel, the aunt of teenage hostage Ofir Engel, who was released during a one-week truce in November, takes the floor and says the hostages’ families “didn’t want to attack [Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu] personally, but you keep using the sorrow of the families for your personal gains.”

“I am not a security expert, but your Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the head of the Shin Bet Ronen Bar have both said this deal can be done,” Engel says.

“Liar! Resign!” she shouts at the end of her address to cheers from the crowd.

As the gathering winds down, an organizer urges protesters to attend another rally outside the government complex on Kaplan Street tonight at 7 p.m.

Most Popular