Shouting matches erupt in Tel Aviv between group celebrating Simhat Torah, anti-government protesters

Shouting matches erupt around Tel Aviv’s Disengoff Square between anti-government, pro-hostage deal protesters and people who have joined a holiday parade led by Rosh Yehudi, a right-wing religious group.

Dozens of police officers stand in the street between the two groups, ordering the protesters to stay on the Square, where they have been since the early evening, and the religious celebrators to stick to the sidewalk.

Among those participating in Rosh Yehudi’s parade is Rabbi Yigal Loewenstein, a teacher at the pre-military religious school Eli who is known for his anti-gay and anti-feminist statements.

On the parade’s coattails, right-wing youth hoist signs reading: “The leftist minority won’t decide for Israel.”

The anti-government protesters chant “he builds castles, they come back in coffins” — alluding to allegations that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lives luxuriously as the hostages languish in Gaza.

During 'Second Rounds' of Simhat Torah dances at Tel Aviv's Dizengoff Square, where pro-hostage deal activists protest the celebrations, a National Religious celebrator calls on "whoever really cares about the hostages" to observe a momemt of silence, which fails to stick. pic.twitter.com/t1q0cPKF6F

— Noam Lehmann (@noamlehmann) October 24, 2024

The protesters’ slogans are drowned out by religious music blasted from speakers mounted on a Rosh Yehudi van. As the protesters shout at them, religious celebrators hold their hands in the shape of hearts.

Speaking into a microphone, one of the celebrators at the square calls on “anyone who really cares about the hostages” to observe a moment of silence.

The gesture fails: Protesters chant “Shame!” and the music returns barely ten seconds later.

The tension subsides after the dancers pass the Square, leaving the protesters behind.

The protesters sing the national anthem, Hatikva, and disperse.