Thousands of Israelis rally against Netanyahu government days before election

Thousands of Israelis protested against the government on Saturday and called for an independent investigation into the security failures that led to the October 7, 2023 attacks, just three days before the country's first general election since the war in Gaza began.

Demonstrators gathered at the public plaza in Tel Aviv known as Hostages Square. The rally was organised by the October Council, a group founded by the families of captives taken to Gaza three years ago, which is demanding accountability for the government's failure to prevent the Hamas attack that preceded the war.

"Three days before the election, we will hold the culminating event marking three years of struggle to uncover the truth, demand accountability and establish a state commission of inquiry," the October Council wrote on X ahead of the rally.

Protesters were also gathering elsewhere in Israel for antigovernment demonstrations, the Haaretz newspaper reported. Leading opposition figures took part, including Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party, who is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main centre-right rival.

In Tel Aviv, Eisenkot was greeted by chants of "Who's coming? The next prime minister", according to The Times of Israel. Yair Golan, the leader of the Democrats, also attended the rally. Israeli citizen and lawyer Dan Adin posted on X about "masses, masses of masses" flowing in the Democrats march from Rabin Square to Hostages Square, adding: "What energy. This time it's ours completely!"

Polls ahead of Tuesday's election point to a tight race, with Netanyahu's right-wing bloc, in power since late 2022, running neck and neck with Eisenkot's. Neither bloc is currently projected to secure a majority of seats in Israel's parliament.

The vote could prove pivotal in determining whether Israel launches another round of strikes on Iran. Eisenkot is believed to be less inclined to resume military action against Tehran if he becomes the next prime minister. On most other foreign policy questions, however, leading Israeli parties and politicians remain united, including in their opposition to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

Ahead of the protest, the October Council alerted law enforcement to possible "provocations" from pro-government agitators. "We have sent an urgent letter to the Police Commissioner following alerts about attempts by entities linked to the coalition to disrupt tonight's rally," it wrote on X.

The October Council seeks to hold Israeli officials deemed responsible for the October 7 attacks to account and to deliver justice for affected families. Netanyahu's coalition government has refused demands to establish an independent commission of inquiry, offering instead to set up a "political" commission in which half the members would be appointed by the government and the remainder by opposition legislators. Opposition leaders have said they would boycott a commission appointed by politicians.