'Can't go on like this': Tens of thousands start 4-day anti-gov't protest outside Knesset

[Israeli]

Lapid tells crowds ‘there is only one thing that is important to Netanyahu — to stay in office,’ as demonstrators demand ‘elections now’; tent city erected outside parliament

By SAM SOKOL,
MAYA ZANGER-NADIS and TOI STAFF
31 March 2024

Thousands of demonstrators packed streets outside the Knesset in Jerusalem on Sunday evening in a mass protest demanding the government resign, marking the first day in what is slated to be a four-day event.

The organizers of the protest called for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government to step down, for Israel to hold early elections, and for the country’s leaders to agree to a hostage deal that will bring about the release of the 130 captives held in Gaza since Hamas’s devastating October 7 attack on the country.

The gathering outside the Knesset was spearheaded by a coalition of anti-government protest movements, including the Kaplan Force and Brothers in Arms, who plan to hold four days of protests and gatherings in Jerusalem this week.

The rally was the largest protest held since October 7, with the war putting a stop to months-long demonstrations against the government and its efforts at the time to overhaul the judiciary. Organizers claimed more than 100,000 people had taken part, while media outlets reported turnout in the tens of thousands.

Source : https://www.timesofisrael.com/tens-of-thousands-throng-knesset-at-start-of-4-day-protest-against-government/

[dutch777]

1. A one day general strike might bring the point home. Bibi and much of his cabinet are deaf to regular protests.

Until it hits farther and wider than noise in front of the Knesset, the RWers won't budge.

[Israeli]

3. Agreed

Both Meretz and Avoda are working on that , probably Lapid also.
The Histadrut swung it for us the last time .
There is just not enough out protesting yet .
Technically we are still at war still grieving its not easy to ask parents who have a child in the IDF
to protest right now .
Plus there is the fear of Itamar Ben-Gvir and his militia who are coming down strongly on protesters.

Ref : https://archive.md/uInnr

[dutch777]

5. One can understand it is a very difficult situation given recent and past history, I just worry about Israel's long term

...standing on the world stage. We think our domestic politics in the US is divided and complicated. I think Israel has us beat many times over.

[Israeli]

6. After yesterday's fiasco with the WCK

I think our " long term standing on the world stage. " is truly fucked ......if it wasnt already .

Did you guys watch Bibi's apology ......he couldnt keep the smirk off his face.

I dont think any of you know what he is capable of ........we do , we have known since they murdered Rabin .

[dutch777]

7. He does seem evil incarnate but we have one of those ourselves. Maybe more than one. Hard to watch as a caring human

I don't know how it could happen, but out of all this carnage, fear and disruption, I look at the Middle East as ripe for a new, alternate path forward that, somehow, people realize all the old animosities are completely against they and their children's long term interests and they find that new path. I have often been accused of being an idealist with all too rosy colored glasses and I suppose my view here only puts a very fine point on that. Peace is the quickest way to cut bloated government budgets and allow investments that actually further the human potential.

[Israeli]

8. How old are you ?

Im 74 this year and been a Peacenik all of my life .
I voted Avoda until they murdered Rabin then I moved to Meretz .
What happened on October 7th has destroyed any chance of Peace in my lifetime .
I hold my grandchildren close and hope they never have to experience what my friends and family did on the
kibbutzeem of Be'eri and Kfar Aza and Nir Oz.
Hamas are not interested in Peace only our total destruction .
Bibi is not interested in Peace , his messianic madmen want all of Gods promised land .
They are both as bad as each other .
Forget about Peace haver .....its not going to happen .

[dutch777]

9. I am 67 and I hear what you say as reality but I have to hope saner voices will rise. How is it we let the bad lead?

Whether it is Bibi, Hamas, Hezbollah, Trump, Modi...it seems we follow the power mongers and haters who are not in our best interests long term.

I was unaware of the notion that Bibi had Rabin killed. Do you mean this literally or as a matter of Bibi enabling the more violent in the society? It is one of the things that I dislike Trump for most, giving voice and some semblance of approval to haters instead of the positive and hopeful.

[Israeli]

10. Bibi didnt have Rabin killed

He instigated his right wing followers by stirring up the crowds at their rallies against Rabin , calling him a traitor and a Nazi
and an Arab lover .
So yes .....like Trump does today.... " a matter of Bibi enabling the more violent in the society " for his own political advancement and power.

Rabin's wife refused to shake Bibi's hand at the funeral refused to hear his condolences ......the family has always held Bibi
responsible .

Hamas and Hezbollah are religious fanatics ....Yigal Amir and his family are religious fanatics .

Bibi and Trump are not religious fanatics they are megalomaniacs.

If you wish to learn more you should read this book ...Murder in the Name of God .
Great title and so true .

Ref : https://www.amazon.com/Murder-Name-God-Yitzhak-Rabin/dp/0805057498

[dutch777]

11. Thank you for your insights. I do hope for the best for all our futures. Don't care for me but children and grandkids.

I would love to see us colonize in space. We need to spread out off this ever smaller rock. Probably too simplistic to hope the old animosities stay on Earth or aren't just replaced by new animosities that prove equally self defeating. I think our youth need newer, bigger challenges and aspirations to forget the pettiness of the past.

[sabbat hunter]

2. Gantz

should pull out of the coalition, and do everything in his power to force new elections.

[Israeli]

4. I dont agree

We need him where he is right now .
He is not a politician he is a warrior and he is the only one holding the IDF together
right now .
He goes Bibi will replace him with yet another of his messianic madmen .