Hadash said on Friday, August 22, that several thousands of Jews and Arabs from across the country are expected to participate tomorrow in the protest against war and starvation planned to set out from Dizengoff Square at 4:30 p.m., where it will then proceed to Habima Square. Hadash also called for the broadest participation of the Arab public to take part in the upcoming protest in Tel Aviv.

The protest was named “Stop the Starvation, Stop the War – Yes to Life and Peace”, is expected to be an Arab-Jewish demonstration led by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens in Israel, an umbrella organization of the Arab community and sponsored by Partnership for Peace and dozens of human rights and anti-occupation movements.

Dozens of workers of the mental health and welfare community demonstrate in front the Histadrut headquarters in Tel-Aviv against workers’ unions leaders who remain silent in the face of the genocidal war in Gaza, Thursday, August 21, 2025 (Photo: Silence is a Crime)

In a Thursday statement about the protest, Hadash slammed the recent actions of the far-right government, saying, “This is the time to intensify efforts and halt the deterioration. The government of genocide intends to continue destroying all of Gaza City and the central cities and camps of the Strip.”

“Today, millions of refugees live in impossible conditions in tent cities, with the most vulnerable facing immediate danger of death. The planned invasion is expected to lead to an inevitable humanitarian disaster,” Hadash added.

The front statement also addressed the situation in the occupied West Bank, where “ethnic cleansing is running unchecked.” Hadash condemned the recent approval of the construction project in the West Bank, led by racist Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, known as E1, “In the face of all this, the basic human duty that must be upheld against all forms of murderous fascism is our responsibility—never again! It is in our hands to stop the genocide and the right-wing government.”

“It is our duty to strive for a future that ensures recognition of the Palestinian people’s rights, thereby creating a future of security and prosperity for both peoples. To this end, we must raise our voices for the immediate cessation of the war and the return of all hostages, prisoners, and displaced persons to their homes,” Hadash added.

Several demonstrations were held yesterday across Israel. On afternoon, dozens of members of the mental health and welfare community in Israel demonstrated in front the Histadrut headquarters in Tel-Aviv against workers’ unions leaders “and o all those who remain silent in the face of the destruction, starvation, and ongoing genocidal war in Gaza.”

“Our practice is not detached from the social and political context. Our lives in Israel and the lives of the residents of Gaza are intertwined—we will not be able to live here in peace and mental health if there is indescribable physical and mental suffering across the border. Our ethical and moral commitment to act is also toward our own society, to the life contexts of our clients,” they said.

At evening, 40 people protested in Paris Square in Haifa against the war in Gaza. Demonstrators played drone sounds, held up posters bearing anti-war slogans and displayed art depicting children killed in the Gaza Strip. Police officers called to the scene ordered them to disperse, and at least eight were arrested. The organizers of the protest said in a statement they were protesting against the “destruction, starvation, murder of journalists and the invasion of Gaza City.”

In addition, protesters calling for the release of the hostages demonstrated in Tel Aviv during the day against the government’s delay in responding to the proposal made by mediators for a limited hostage deal, which Hamas has responded in favor of. Simultaneously, family members of hostages and supporters marched around the army’s headquarters in Tel Aviv and people who are being held hostage in the Gaza Strip, marched from Dizengoff Square to Hostage Square and protesters gathered in front of the Likud headquarters in Central Tel-Aviv.

Yehuda Cohen, father of Nimrod, who is being held captive in the Gaza Strip, called on Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and all reservists who have been called up for reserve duty to disobey orders. “Only with force will we be able to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the benefactor of Hamas, to stop this unnecessary war,” he said.

Also on Thursday, mothers of soldiers serving in the military protested outside the home of Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir in central Israel, calling for an end to the war. “We will not allow the sacrifice of our children in a politically motivated war. Eyal Zamir is responsible for every soldier who is killed, and the blood of the hostages will be on his hands,” they said.

More on “Silence is a Crime” (Hebrew, Arabic and English): https://silenceisacrime.org/