Israeli opposition leaders join mass rally in Tel Aviv three days before election

Thousands of demonstrators gathered at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest the incumbent government and demand an independent investigation into the security lapses that preceded the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. The rally took place three days before Israel’s first general election since the start of the war in Gaza.

The event was organized by the October Council, a group formed by families of captives taken to Gaza during the 2023 attacks. In a post on X, the group stated they were holding a culminating event to mark three years of struggle to uncover the truth and establish a state commission of inquiry. The council also alerted police to potential disruptions from pro-government agitators, noting that an urgent letter had been sent to the Police Commissioner regarding attempts by coalition-linked entities to disrupt the rally.

Leading opposition figures participated in the demonstrations. Gadi Eisenkot, the head of the Yashar party and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s primary center-right rival, addressed the crowd in Tel Aviv. According to The Times of Israel, protesters chanted, “Who's coming? The next prime minister.” Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party, also attended. Dan Adin, a lawyer and Israeli citizen, described the march from Rabin Square to Hostages Square on X, calling the crowd “masses, masses of masses” and declaring, “This time it's ours completely!”

Haaretz reported that antigovernment demonstrations occurred in other locations across Israel as well. The October Council has sought to hold officials responsible for the October 7 events accountable. Netanyahu’s coalition has resisted calls for an independent body, proposing instead a political commission with half its members appointed by the government and the rest by opposition legislators. Opposition leaders have indicated they would boycott such a body.

Pre-election polls indicate a tight contest between Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc, which has held power since late 2022, and Eisenkot’s camp. Neither bloc is currently projected to secure a majority of seats in the Knesset. Analysts suggest the outcome may influence whether Israel resumes strikes on Iran, as Eisenkot is viewed as less likely to escalate military action against Tehran than the current leadership. Despite this difference, major parties remain aligned on other foreign policy issues, including opposition to an independent Palestinian state.