Ten of thousands of anti-government protesters gathered Sunday evening, July 7, in front of the Israeli army headquarters in Tel Aviv, where Einav Zangauker — whose son Matan is captive in Gaza — was suspended in a cage hanging from a bridge over Begin Road in an act of protest against the far right government.

In addition, thousands arched to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem Sunday night, at the end of a nationwide day of demonstrations marking nine months since October 7, and calling for both immediate elections, a deal to facilitate the release of the 120 hostages still held by Hamas and a ceasefire in Gaza.

The acts of protest in two of Israel’s most populous cities were preceded by a day of action, “Day of Disruption” across the country, during which protesters blocked highways and held rallies in cities and outside the homes of government ministers and far-right lawmakers.

Demonstrators protest against the far-right government and for the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, outside the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, July 7, 2024. Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, is standing in the cage. The slogan on the cage reads, “Netanyahu, it’s in your hands.” (Photo: Alon Marcus)

At afternoon two rallies from Central and North Tel-Aviv marched to the Histadrut, labor federation in Israel, demanding a general strike against the government.  Thousands gathered at demonstration held in front of the Histadrut building in Arlozorov Street.  In the morning protesters also gathered outside the home of Arnon Bar-David, the head of the Histadrut, calling for him to declare a general strike to demand elections. Demonstrators hold signs saying “Enough talking, it’s time for action” and “General strike now.” In May, Bar-David said he had “lost trust in the government,” but said that timing was key for any drastic action to force a national strike.

Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=31966