Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in various locations across the country on Saturday evening, December 28, in support of a hostage deal and against the far-right Netanyahu government. Demonstrations took place in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, Beer-Sheva and other cities, with families of hostages accusing Netanyahu of sabotaging negotiations and calling to end the war.

In addition, thousands of anti-government protesters marched in Rehovot, Kfar Sava, Kiryat Gat, Ofakim, Netanya, Nes Tziona, Herzliya, Nahariya, Karkur and Haogen junctions, Shar Hanegev and several junctions in the Galilee, among them Gomeh, Horfish, Eylon, Beit Haemek, Lohamei Hageta’ot, Kabri, Nahalal and Carmiel. Earlier afternoon an Arab-Jewish demonstration against the war in Gaza was held by Partnership for Peace at the Old City of Acre.

Police brutally attack demonstrator during the protest against the government and calling for the release of Israeli hostages in Jerusalem, December 28, 2024 (Photo: Chaim Goldberg /Flash 90)

In Tel-Aviv, the families of the hostages in Gaza delivered remarks at a press conference before the rallies kicked off. Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, addressed Netanyahu during the press conference, accusing him of “rushing to torpedo” the latest efforts to reach a hostage deal. “Netanyahu is afraid of [racist National Security Minister Itamar] Ben Gvir and [racist Finance Minister Bezalel] Smotrich and is refusing to end the war, in complete contradiction to Israeli interests,” Zangauker said. “Netanyahu and [Defense Minister] Israel Katz are sitting in heated rooms and bragging about continuing the war, while my Matan and the other hostages are freezing and rotting in the tunnels. “The blood is on your hands,” she added. “End this war and get my Matan, and all the hostages, out of that hell.”

For three consecutive days, police brutally attacked Saturday night Israeli peace activists in near Jerusalem’s Paris Square. Cops attacked demonstrators against the war on Friday and arrested three activists, on Saturday morning they arrested five near Netanyahu’s home and in the evening another four. 

Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=32347