Slogans against Netanyahu
Protesters set fire to the streets of Tel Aviv
March 23, 2024, 10:04 p.m
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Frustration with Prime Minister Netanyahu is venting on the streets of Tel Aviv. Thousands of demonstrators are calling on him to bring the remaining hostages home. They accuse him of failing to manage the crisis after the Hamas attack and are demanding his resignation.
Thousands of people demonstrated in Israel this evening for the release of hostages held by the Islamist Hamas and against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In Tel Aviv they shouted “Time is running out, bring her home!”, Israeli media reported. The demonstrators set several small fires on the streets in the center of the coastal metropolis and blocked a main artery.
The slogans were also directed against Netanyahu, whom critics accuse of failing to manage the crisis following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7th. In addition, the head of government would subordinate the fate of the hostages to the needs of his political survival, is a view shared by demonstrators. “Whoever abandoned them (the hostages) must bring them back!” they shouted.
As on previous Saturdays, they called for the resignation of the Netanyahu government and new elections. One of the speakers said: “My cousin Ofer has been a prisoner of Hamas for 169 days. And we have been prisoners of our government for 169 days.” Terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups from the Gaza Strip killed 1,200 people and kidnapped another 250 as hostages in their massacre last October. Israel then attacked the Palestinian coastal strip with massive military force to crush Hamas once and for all.
Negotiations in Doha
Just over 100 hostages were released during a ceasefire in November. According to Israeli estimates, almost 100 people abducted by Hamas may still be alive. Israel is currently negotiating its exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons in the Qatari capital Doha with the mediation of the USA, Egypt and Qatar.
Several hundred people also demonstrated in front of Netanyahu’s official residence in Jerusalem that evening. “Decisive negotiations are taking place in Qatar these days,” said a speaker whose brother is among the hostages. “Israel’s government must not let this opportunity pass.”