Lambasting the government, hundreds protest outside President’s Residence in Jerusalem

On February 24, 2024, protesters march to Paris Square in Jerusalem next to banner that reads: "The ministers are responsible for the hostages' lives." (Charlie Summers/Times of Israel)
On February 24, 2024, protesters march to Paris Square in Jerusalem next to banner that reads: "The ministers are responsible for the hostages' lives." (Charlie Summers/Times of Israel)

Hundreds of Israelis are protesting the government and demanding new elections outside the President’s Residence in Jerusalem.

Onstage, speakers from the Jerusalem-based protest organization Save our Shared Home are lambasting the government on multiple fronts, criticizing its conduct towards internally displaced Gaza envelope residents and demanding the immediate return of the 134 hostages remaining in Hamas captivity, not all of whom are alive.

Speakers are also deriding National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for his proposed restrictions on Muslim access to the Al-Aqsa compound during Ramadan.

“It’s clear to everyone that this will lead to an amplification of risk, a real flare-up in Jerusalem,” says Save our Shared Home activist Osnat Hazan about the prospect, dubbing Ben Gvir “the national security minister who is doing everything to ensure there is no national security.”

Bar Hefetz, a displaced resident of Kibbutz Nirim, is demanding new elections to replace the Netanyahu-led government.

“We need real leadership, of people who will take responsibility for everyone in this place, and not just people who vote for them,” he says.

“We will return here [to protest] so long as the government keeps running away from responsibility,” adds Save our Shared Home activist Efi Shoham.

Protesters, some carrying torches, are now marching to Paris Square near Netanyahu’s official residence, where they will be addressed by relatives of hostages.

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