Chanting “Never again is here and now,” activists against the far-right government and relatives of the hostages held in Gaza blocked Ayalon Highway at Tel-Aviv, on Wednesday evening, January 1, demanding a comprehensive hostage deal and an end to the war  Standing in the middle of central Israel’s main traffic artery, the families display a large banner reading “Never again is now” and hold up images of their loved ones.  

Among the protesters, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, Einav Zangauker who was restricted from entering the Knesset due to “serious violations of order”. She is a prominent voice in the struggle to secure a deal for those captured in Gaza by Hamas. Zanguaker says in response that the far-right government in turn is “trying to silence the families of the hostages.”

Relatives of hostages in Gaza, blocking the Ayalon Highway as they call for the release of the hostages and the end of the war, January 01, 2025 (Photo: Itai Ron / Flash 90)

Other protests against the war and genocide in Gaza and for a comprehensive hostages deal (“All for all”) were held Wednesday earlier at Tel-Aviv University by Academia for Equality members and near the Shabak (Israeli Security Agency) headquarters in northern Tel Aviv, calling for the release of Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya and all Kamal Adwan hospital captives, and demanding the end of the massacre at the occupied Gaza Strip.

According to Im Tirtzu far-right organization, “Our brave soldiers returned straight from the battlefield to their university campuses—not to face extreme left-wing organizations protesting against them! Im Tirtzu stands unwaveringly behind our student soldiers—on campus, in Knesset committees, in the media, and anywhere else we are needed.”

Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=32356