in Jerusalem, 100,000 demonstrators once again demand the departure of Benjamin Netanyahu

Families of hostages and thousands of political opponents gathered Sunday evening in Jerusalem to demand the departure of the Prime Minister and the organization of early elections. The gathering experienced clashes with the police.

“Elections now”. This is what the demonstrators gathered on the evening of Sunday March 31, in Jerusalem, all around the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. More than 100,000 participants, according to organizers, gathered to demand the departure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the largest political demonstration since the Hamas attack on October 7.

Protesters demand early elections

The rally brought together families of hostages angry at the government’s inaction, and who want to obtain the release of their kidnapped loved ones, as well as political opponents of Benjamin Netanyahu such as anti-reform organizations of the judicial system. The demonstration was announced by the organizers as a “gathering of anger” and the police actually had to intervene in force to disperse groups of demonstrators, who were blocking the main arteries of Jerusalem.

“We are at a crossroads and I am for early elections as soon as possible, even if it is in the middle of war.”

Abraham Farhi, a protester

at franceinfo

For this protester, the time has come to change the government despite the war currently taking place in Gaza, “otherwise the situation will get worse”, estimates Abraham Farhi. Moreover, for the first time since the start of the war, politicians spoke during the demonstration, such as opposition leader Yair Lapid.

However, it is difficult to define the direction this new political movement is taking. It is a gathering of very ideologically diverse groups. The only common denominator is to demand the departure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and to ensure that the hostages still alive can be freed. The demonstrators also express a lot of skepticism for the future.

“I think this war serves the powers that be, whether Netanyahu or Hamas.”

Jean-Pierre Chikri, a protester

at franceinfo

“There is collusion between these two powers” that Hamas and Netanyahu are, believes demonstrator Jean-Pierre Chikri. A collusion which “raises fears that the future will not be clear tomorrow”. This gathering in the form of a happening must continue for three more days, until the Jewish Passover parliamentary recess. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reacted on Sunday evening during a press conference: “Elections now, in the middle of war, would paralyze Israel for at least six months. They would paralyze negotiations for the release of our hostages.”