Protesters call for Dermer’s resignation as hostage deal remains elusive

Several hundred protestors gather at Jerusalem’s Park HaMesila before marching to the home of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who has been heading hostage negotiations.

“Alive, alive, we want them alive!” call the protestors. “There will be no forgiveness for a government that abandons its people.”

As the protesters approach Dermer’s home, police officers move a set of barricades, allowing the marchers to move closer to the front.

“Ron Dermer, quit, there is no other option,” they chant in front of his house.

Shlomo Alfasa, brother-in-law of Avner and Maya Goren, both Kibbutz Nir Oz members who were killed on October 7, with Avner’s body found in the fields and Maya’s body taken captive to Gaza, speaks outside Dermer’s house.

Alfasa says that Netanyahu and Dermer should bring home the 58 hostages, and stresses that he is not right wing or left wing, but a centrist.

“Our prime minister didn’t have results, so he got rid of the defense minister, and then-IDF chief of staff Herzi Halevi and then the Shin Bet chief, and now it is time to get rid of Ron Dermer,” says Alfasa.

“Dermer, Dermer, quit!” chant the protesters. “We don’t want you anymore.”

Alfasa concludes his remarks by noting that Dermer has never met with any of the hostage families. “I’m here, come out and talk to me,” he says.