Pressure mounts on Israel’s Netanyahu as Gaza hostage protests widen: ‘bring them home now’
- Hundreds picketed Netanyahu’s Jerusalem home as protesters blocked a motorway and called for a mass rally in front of parliament next week
- Families appealed to the prime minister to speed up talks for the release of hostages held in Gaza
Protesters blocked Tel Aviv’s ring road on Saturday after two demonstrations in Israel’s biggest city called for the release of hostages held in Gaza and criticised the government’s handling of the war.
Police used water cannon against protesters who lit fires and used lorries to block both carriageways of the motorway.
In Jerusalem, hundreds picketed the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanding he resign. Israeli media reported smaller anti-government protests across the country.
Thousands had gathered earlier in Tel Aviv to hear the families of hostages abducted by Hamas militants on October 7 call for a mass rally in front of the country’s parliament next week.
Shira Elbag, whose 19-year-old daughter Liri was abducted by Hamas militants during the October 7 attack on Israel, made an emotional plea urging Israelis to pile the pressure on Netanyahu.
“The time has come to go out and fight against indifference and for life,” a larger than usual weekly demonstration on the square in Tel Aviv renamed by campaigners Hostages Square.