Thousands rally in Tel Aviv in protest against Netanyahu's government three days before the election

Mass protest in Tel Aviv

On October 24, a demonstration against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took place in Tel Aviv, with thousands of people taking part. Protesters demanded an independent investigation into the failures in the security system that failed to prevent the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and accountability for those responsible. March participants walked from Rabin Square to Hostages Square, demanding that the government establish a state commission of inquiry into the security failure that led to the attack.

Organizers and political context

The rally was held three days before the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. It was initiated by the October Council, formed by relatives of the victims of the 2023 attack and of the hostages. In a statement published on the social network X ahead of the demonstration, the council called the rally an important stage in a three-year struggle to establish the truth and hold those responsible to account. According to The Times of Israel, a number of opposition politicians took part in the protest, including Yair Golan, Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Lapid.

Dispute over the format of the investigation

According to sources, the Netanyahu government refuses to establish an independent state commission of inquiry. Instead, it has proposed forming a commission with the participation of representatives of both the ruling coalition and the opposition in parliament. Opposition leaders have stated that they will not take part in the work of a commission formed by politicians. Thus, the key dispute between the government and the opposition comes down to who will control the investigation into the October 7 security failure, and this conflict has coincided with the election campaign.

Significance of the event

The event is significant because it combines two factors confirmed by publications: the demand of the families of the victims and hostages to establish the truth about the October 7, 2023 attack, and the parliamentary elections on October 27, ahead of which the question of the government's accountability is becoming part of the political agenda. For voters and protest participants, the practical significance lies in the parties' positions on the format of the investigation: the government insists on a commission involving politicians, while the opposition refuses to take part in it. It remains unknown how the election results will affect the establishment of the commission — sources do not describe such consequences.