Tens of thousands of demonstrators marched into Jerusalem on Wednesday, March 19, in a renewed outburst of rage against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right government following the deadly occupation forces attack to Palestinian residents of Gaza.
The protesters gathered outside the Knesset at around noon, then proceeded to Netanyahu’s home, on Azza Street in Jerusalem’s Rehavia neighborhood. Activists leading the march held a large banner that read: “Enough of the government of destruction,” as the large crowds proceeded down Ben Zvi Boulevard, which police also closed to traffic.”
Hadash demonstrators against war and occupation at Tel-Aviv, near the army headquarters in Begin Street, Tuesday, March 18, 2025 (Photo: Zo Haderekh)
On Tuesday evening, Police in Jerusalem violently dispersed a demonstration of hundreds of activists from Partnership for Peace, Hadash, Free Jerusalem and other organizations who were protesting against occupation and the resumption of the war. Officers kicked protesters, forcibly dragged them and tore signs and drums from their hands, ripping and breaking some of them. One police officer kicked a leading Hadash activist in the head, and some protesters were wounded.
“Israel is rampaging with murderous violence in Gaza, violating every law it can find and sacrificing the hostages, while an unbridled fascist police force attacks protesters in Jerusalem,” Free Jerusalem said in a statement. It added that the demonstrators were protesting against “against the genocide that Israel continues to commit, with over 400 killed in the last 24 hours.” The organization further said, “It’s hard to imagine the price that the hostages are paying for these war crimes.”
Three people were arrested as hundreds of people protested the renewal of the fighting in two demonstrations in Haifa. Police forcibly dispersed the protesters at the German Colony. Haifa cops snatched signs and banners and attacked protestors, and at least one was beaten brutally during her arrest. During the protest Hadash chair, former MK Issam Makhoul said “The fascist government is now pursuing a policy of genocide and starvation against the people of Gaza, it’s a war crime. Netanyahu has broken the deal with Hamas and its stated commitment to negotiate a second phase. Netanyahu and Trump want a forever war.” Other demonstrations against war and occupation were held at Tel-Aviv, near the army headquarters in Begin Street and Beer Sheva.
MK Gilad Kariv (Labor) said he will demand an urgent discussion in the Knesset with the Jerusalem district police commander on Wednesday, following the violent dispersion of several activists protesting the resumption of the war in Jerusalem and Haifa. On his X account, Kariv wrote that he will join the protesters in Jerusalem and “will not hesitate to use parliamentary immunity to prevent police violence against demonstrators.”
During a rally held at Habima Square on Tuesday evening, Einav Zangauker, the mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, said “Matan and the other hostages are trapped in the tunnels of Gaza because of Netanyahu.” “Instead of stealing a deal, he made the decision to sacrifice my Matan and all the other hostages. Shame! He dropped bombs on them at night and in the morning, he brings Itamar Ben-Gvir back into the government,” added,
Former national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s racist Otzma Yehudit party announced on Tuesday that it was returning to the government, just under two months after leaving the far-right coalition and as Israel resumed fighting in the Gaza Strip. In a joint statement, Otzma Yehudit and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party said that they had “agreed that the Otzma Yehudit faction will return to the Israeli government today, and Otzma Yehudit ministers will return to the government.”
According to MK Youssef Atawneh (Hadash): “The announcement of Otzma Yehudit and the Likud proves what we said that the war is a war of choice declared by Netanyahu. The decision forsakes the hostages and the security of the Arab citizens, if Ben Gvir should return to the Ministry of National Security, because in the past two years, one murder in the Arab society has followed another in rapid succession.”
Related: https://maki.org.il/en/?p=32534
