Thousands rally against Netanyahu in Tel Aviv just three days before the general election as protesters demand a full inquiry into the security failures of the October 7 attack. The demonstration was organised by the October Council, a group formed by families of those killed or taken hostage during the Hamas-led assault in 2023.
Israeli media reported that leaders from the four main opposition parties attended the event. Former military chief Gadi Eisenkot, who is challenging Netanyahu, received a warm welcome from the crowd. The October Council described the rally as the culminating moment of a three-year struggle to uncover the truth and establish a proper state commission of inquiry.
Thousands of demonstrators marched from Rabin Square towards Hostages Square. One participant, Hadas Feuershtein, 68, said the government that has led the country for the past four years has done a terrible job and that Israel has never faced a situation as difficult as the current one.
The latest KAN poll, released just before the polling blackout, projected 52 seats for Eisenkot’s bloc and 50 for Netanyahu’s in the 120-seat parliament. Neither side is expected to secure a clear majority on its own.
Netanyahu’s government continues to reject an independent commission of inquiry. Instead it has proposed a political body whose members would be appointed equally by the coalition and opposition. Opposition leaders have already said they will boycott any such politically appointed panel.
The rally also highlighted growing concerns about Israel’s international standing. First-time voter Naama Bitterman expressed confidence that a change in leadership could improve how the world sees the country after years of conflict in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran, along with rising violence in the West Bank.
On the economic front, Netanyahu suggested Israel may need to develop an alternative digital economy to counter international isolation and possible future cuts in US arms support. Opposition leaders strongly criticised the idea. Eisenkot sarcastically labelled the proposal “bbCoin” and warned that disconnecting from the global economy would harm high-tech, trade and security. Former prime minister Yair Lapid said a Netanyahu victory would bring more sanctions, no security agreement with the United States and severe damage to the Israeli economy.
Police arrested one suspect for assaulting the security team of former prime minister Naftali Bennett during the event. As the campaign enters its final days, both Eisenkot and Bennett plan separate meetings with voters in Tel Aviv.
