Throngs of Israelis gather for Tel Aviv protest calling for elections and hostage deal

Israelis protest against the government on Kaplan Square, Tel Aviv on April 13, 2024. (Gilad Furst / Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)
Israelis protest against the government on Kaplan Square, Tel Aviv on April 13, 2024. (Gilad Furst / Pro-Democracy Protest Movement)

Thousands of protesters are congregating on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv to demonstrate against the government.

The rally calls for early elections to be held, the removal of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from office, and a deal to be made for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Police have blocked off large chunks of Kaplan Street and Begin Street, as well as nearby exits of the Ayalon Highway, which protesters often block off during their weekly demonstrations.

Police initially forbade demonstrators from convening at the corner of Kaplan and Begin Street, known as Democracy Square, saying that not enough people participated in last week’s rally to justify blocking off such a central intersection.

Israelis protest against the government on Kaplan Street, Tel Aviv on April 13, 2024. (Iddo Schejter/Times of Israel staff)

Nevertheless, police eventually ceded to protesters’ demands, allowing the demonstration to be held at its traditional location.

Once the rally ends, attendants are expected to merge with an adjacent demonstration on Begin Street led by families of hostages who are calling for a deal to release the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since October 7.

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