Thousands of protesters gathered this evening (Saturday) on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv to participate in the main demonstration against the government, calling for early elections. Among the speakers was Eyal Eyshel, the father of the late Roni Eyshel, who was killed at the Nahal Oz base in an attack by Hamas on October 7. Eyshel questioned why no political leader in Israel has taken responsibility for the failures since Menachem Begin and urged the Prime Minister and all those responsible to accept genuine and courageous accountability.
Eyshel pointed out prior warnings to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from military officers regarding the consequences of a coup on security, stating that Netanyahu ignored these warnings and called for his resignation for neglecting them. He added, "You do not deserve Roni, the girls who were killed, nor this nation." Eyshel demanded the establishment of an independent investigative committee to examine the failures of October 7, emphasizing that there will be no cover-up of this committee and that it is a life mission for them.
**Opposing Views from Prominent Figures**
The march also featured former Knesset member Mickey Rosenthal, who accused Netanyahu of adopting a policy of leniency and containment in the face of threats, stating that Netanyahu is responsible for steering all security agencies and should resign immediately. Rosenthal added that there are ongoing criminal and international investigations against Netanyahu.
**Protests in Various Cities**
Similar protests were witnessed in other cities, including the Karkur Junction, the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Caesarea, as well as in Netanya, Ness Ziona, Herzliya, Kfar Saba, and Ra'anana. In Jerusalem, a protest march concluded with a gathering of families of hostages in Paris Square.
**International Mediation Efforts**
It was announced today, following the return of Mossad Chief David Barnea from Paris, that a summit attended has led to the decision to initiate negotiations based on new proposals led by mediators Egypt and Qatar, with active participation from the United States. The head of the Mossad discussed with CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani the establishment of an infrastructure to facilitate progress in negotiations for the release of hostages.
**Future Protest Plans**
Organizers of the march in the protest group "Free in Our Land" plan activities accompanying the Knesset's summer session, including calling on Gantz to resign from the government and discussions in the Supreme Court regarding the conscription of Yeshiva members, aiming to exert targeted pressure on the coalition and government symbols.
The organizers stated, "In the time of an endless war, the most failing government in the history of the country continues to neglect its kidnapped and displaced citizens and attempts to enshrine legislation that exempts an entire people. We call on all citizens, all lovers of the homeland - raise the flag of Israel and come out of your homes; everyone must increase pressure on the protest."
