Tens of thousands expected to rally Saturday night against judicial overhaul, in favor of hostage deal

Tens of thousands are expected to rally across the country this evening for the release of the hostages, as well as against the renewal of the judicial overhaul and moves to fire key government gatekeepers by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.

The main protest by the coalition of protest groups will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Tel Aviv’s Habima Square.

At the conclusion of the demonstration, protesters will march to Begin Street to join the group of hostage families who rally there.

Separately, the rally at Hostages Square will be addressed by freed hostage Iair Horn, whose brother Eitan Horn is still held in Gaza; ⁠Eli Shtivi, the father of Idan Shtivi; Bar Godard, the daughter of Manny Godard; Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker; Major General (Ret.) Yom-Tov Samia; and actor Michael Rapaport.

Rallies calling for the return of the hostages will also take place throughout the country, including in Jerusalem, Carmei Gat and at the Sha’ar HaNegev Junction.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum says in a statement that relatives of those held in Gaza are “urging all Israelis, from every background and political viewpoint” to attend the protests.

The protests will be held against the backdrop of the government’s passage of key judicial overhaul legislation and an ongoing impasse in the hostage negotiations amid the resumption of fighting in Gaza, as well as the firing of Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar and the advancement of the dismissal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

A poll aired yesterday by Channel 12 showed 69 percent of Israelis support ending the war in exchange for a deal that releases all remaining hostages in Gaza, compared to 21% who oppose such an agreement. Even among coalition voters, a majority (54%) back such a move compared to 32% who oppose it.