From the Liveblog of
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Thousands march at 3 separate Tel Aviv rallies calling for hostage deal, toppling government
Activists can choose among three adjacent rallies tonight in Tel Aviv as anti-government groups reclaim Democracy Square, at the intersection of Begin Road and Kaplan Street, which saw weekly mass demonstrations against the judicial overhaul throughout 2023.
The protests on Democracy Square were put on hold due to restrictions on public gatherings amid the escalation against Hezbollah in September. The restrictions were lifted after a ceasefire was reached in Lebanon last month.
Police approved a “Democracy March” to the intersection from Habima Square but did not approve the protests at Democracy Square itself, saying last week’s low turnout did not justify sealing off the junction.
Nonetheless, what appeared to be over a thousand protesters, many carrying Israeli flags, crammed into the square. Police cordoned off the area with trucks, and there were no reports of arrests.
Under a large banner reading “Crime Minister” next to a picture of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, protesters chanted: “There is no forgiveness for the enemy of the state! There is no forgiveness for the angel of death!”
A block north, hundreds of people join anti-government hostage families as they held their weekly protests outside the IDF Headquarters Begin Road entrance, bolstered by left-wing groups including Standing Together and Looking the Occupation in the Eyes.
On the ground, large white cardboard letters spell out: “Thou shalt not kill.”
In between the two protests, a group urging “civil rebellion” has set up a “conscription booth” to enlist people willing to engage in non-violent civil disobedience. For the second week running, the group holds an explanatory session on disobedience tactics.
West of there, on Hostages Square, the Hostages and Misisng Families Forum holds its central weekly rally, with some 1,000 people attending. Before the speeches, the Forum plays the propaganda video of hostage Matan Zangauker that Hamas released earlier this evening — the first sign of life from the captive.
