Amid reports that negotiations between Israel and Hamas are progressing, families of Israeli hostages and their supporters have taken to the streets to pressure the far-right Netanyahu government to finalize a deal as soon as possible. At least five protesters were arrested following clashes with police.

Thousands protested in Tel Aviv on Monday night, April 29, in a rally that later descended into clashes with police forces, arrests, and police violence toward protesters and relatives of hostages. The rally reached the King George Street near of the ruling Likud party’s headquarters, where police used a water cannon and mounted cops to disperse the protest.

Cops shoved Ilana Gritzewsky, Matan Zangauker’s partner who was kidnapped on October 7 and released in the November deal. Early protesters blocked the army headquarters entrance at Begin Street and Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan, addressed Netanyahu, saying he had to choose between bringing the hostages home and keeping intact his government over the objections of racist ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, who vehemently oppose a hostage deal that would require a ceasefire. Einav Zangauker told Ynet that cops had pushed her to the ground at the Likud headquarters and that the police used excessive force and sent in disproportionate forces to disperse the crowd, in what she called “stepped-up violence.”

Thousands of protestors blocking the army headquarters entrance at Begin Street, Monday, April 29, 2024 (Photo: Ra’anan Harlap)

Protests demanding the release of hostages and calling for early elections take place also in Saturday evening in Tel Aviv and several other Israeli cities, including Jerusalem, Caesarea, Haifa, Kfar Sava, Eilat, Kiryat Gat and Be’er Sheva. Thousands gathered across the country to the declaration of elections and in Tel Aviv, protesters blocked the Ayalon Highway and seven protesters were arrested.  Earlier on Saturday, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum released a statement calling on the State of Israel to stop the war in exchange for a comprehensive deal for the hostages. In their statement, they argued, “For half a year, we have been told that military pressure will lead to the release of the hostages. This strategy has failed. Today we are calling on all members of the government: If the only way to a comprehensive deal for the hostages is to end the war, end the war to bring the hostages home to us!” They then concluded that “entering Rafah will lead to the murder of more hostages” so Israel must choose not to enter Rafah to save the remaining captives held in Gaza. 

Earlier on Saturday, thousands gathered in Nazareth for the Communist Party of Israel and Hadash May Day parade, this after the police confiscated last Friday equipment and flags from the Hadash and CPI branch in the city ahead of the march.  At Paulus Street in Nazareth, between the red flags and flags of Palestine, banners were carried against the deadly war in Gaza, occupation of the Palestinian territories, US imperialism, capitalism and in favor of the dignity of the working class. Young Communist League orchestras filled the air with the sound of drums.

Heavily armed police force raided Friday evening the Hadash and CPI branch in Nazareth and arrested two activists who were setting up displays and flags for the May Day rally.

Towards this year’s May Day, the International Workers’ Solidarity Day, rallies against the deadly war in Gaza and the occupation of the Palestinian territories will be held next Wednesday, May 1, in Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Kufr Yassif and the Western Galilee, and other locations.

Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=31793