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2024 Israeli protests

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2024 Israeli protests
2024 anti-government protests in Israel
Part of Israel–Hamas war protests in Israel
Top to bottom, left to right:
DateNovember 2023 (2023-11) – present
Location
Israel, mainly:
Caused by
MethodsProtests, demonstrations, civil disobedience, civil resistance, online activism, riots
StatusOngoing
Parties

Protesters (anti-government, pro-hostage deal)

Supported by:

Casualties
Injuries22+ protesters (1 critically)
14 police officers
Arrested650+
Map of locations of protests as of 1st september 2024

The 2024 Israeli protests are a series of demonstrations,[1] instances of civil disorder,[2] and riots[3] against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, primarily sparked by the Israel–Hamas war and the hostage crisis. The protests aim to pressure Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire and reach a hostage deal. These protests began sporadically at the onset of the war but have grown significantly in size and intensity, culminating in massive gatherings across various Israeli cities.[4][5][6]

Israel March Together protest march from Re'im to Jerusalem - March 2024

On 1 September 2024, after six hostage bodies were found inside of the Gaza Strip, the protest organizations have announced a day of protests. more than 500,000 protested through the country and outside it for a hostage deal and the Histadrut went on a day of strike.[7]

Background

Protests against Netanyahu and his government started after he tried to delay his trial. these protests were called the Black Flags Protests, and later were called "Balfour Protests".

The second wave of protests came in response to the government's push for a wide-ranging judicial reform, aimed to change the makeup of the Judicial Selection Committee, ultimately cancelling Judiciary in the state. these protests called the reform "dictatorship" and were the biggest in the history of Israel.[8]

The current third wave of the protests pressuring Netanyahu to accept hostage deal and resign. the protestors are accusing Netanyahu, saying he's a major factor in Israel's deterioration over the years, ultimately causing 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.[9]

as June 2024, the protests grew larger as they demand Netanyahu to step down and early elections.[10][11][12]

Timeline

According to ACLED, as of 30th August 2024, 1,240 protests occured inside of Israel since October 2023. 1,016 (82%) of them were peaceful and 116 (9%) involved violence and brutality.[13] 6 of them had more than 100,000 participants (excluding September protest).[13]

Since the start of the war, there were more than 336 protests in the district of Tel Aviv, 201 protests in the district of Jerusalem and 703 protests on other places accross the country.[13]

November 2023 to January 2024

On 5 November 2023, thousands rallied in Tel Aviv for hostages deal, and some were also protesting in Jerusalem.[14]

On 28 January 2024, police arrested several protesters in Kaplan Square in the Tel Aviv, while hundreds were dispersed by force.

April

On 2 April 2024, a protest outside Netanyahu's residence turned into clashes with police. Five people were arrested and one officer was injured in the melee.[15]

On 6 April 2024, during an anti-government rally in Tel Aviv, a car deliberately accelerated into a crowd of protesters, injuring five.[16]

June

On 18 June 2024, a protest took place on Gaza Street in Jerusalem near Netanyahu residence. they soon turned into riots. three were injured and nine were arrested.[17][18]

On 27 June 2024, the protest organizers announced "civil strike day", blocking Highway 4 and Ayalon Highway, as well as other routes in Israel, while liting fire.[19]

July

On 20 July 2024, Thousands of protesters rallied in Tel Aviv, demanding Netanyahu to stay in Israel to continue talks with Hamas in order to reach a hostage deal.[20] Right-wing activists threw stones at them and minor clashes occurred.[21]

On 21 July 2024, protesters blocked Ben Gurion Airport, ahead of Netanyahu's departure for US meeting.[22]

August

On 10 August 2024, Thousands of Israelis joined weekly anti-govt protests demanding a hostage deal. protesters faced arrested near a protest in Hadera.[23]

On 17 August 2024, Tens of thousands around Israel joined weekly anti-govt protests, calling for deal to release Hamas hostages and the resgination of the government.[24] In Ness Ziona, the grandfather of hostage Naama Levy addressed a demonstration for an immediate hostage release deal.[25]

On 24 August 2024, Thousands of Israelis joined weekly anti-govt protests, demanding an hostage deal and the resignation of the government.[26][27] Israeli police arrested seven demonstrators.

On 31 August 2024, hostage families and others protested in Tel Aviv and other places across Israel, fumed at Netanyahu as protesters clashes occurred.[28] Some blocked Ayalon highway for a short time, and were confronted by right-wing activists.[29]

September Protests - "Stopping The State"

"Stopping The State" protest, Tel Aviv
Main article: September 2024 Israel hostage deal protests

On 1 September 2024, the trade union Histadrut announced a one-day general strike to be held on the following day in protest for refraining from reaching a prisoners deal with Hamas.[7] The largest protests since 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel took place at the same day, with 300,000 protesting in Tel Aviv and 200,000 on additional parts of Israel, according to Hostages and Missing Families Forum.[30][31] MK Naama Lazimi was injured when police threw stun grenades into Ayalon.[32] A total of 34+ protesters were arrested, but courts released 18 of them without further punishment.[33] At least 4 were Injured.[34]

The Israel Business Forum, which represents around 200 of the country's biggest companies, said workers “would be allowed to join the strike.”[31] The Arab citizens of Israel joined the strike.[35] The planned strike started officially on September 2 at 6 AM and was scheduled to last until evening, but a petition against it was filed at a labor court, which demanded to end the strike earlier than originally planned.

Protesters blocking Ayalon highway at "Stopping The State" protest

On 2 September 2024, tens of thousands of Israelis protested for the 2nd "Day of Rage". In Tel Aviv, protesters marched to the Metzudat Ze'ev (Likud HQ). In Jerusalem, protesters broke through barriers near Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence and clashes occurred with the police, who forcefully arrested several.[36] Netanyahu made a speech about Philadelphi Corridor, but it was met with mixed reactions from Israeli politicians and public opinion.[37]

On 3 September 2024, thousands of Israelis protested for the third "Day of Rage". Protesters accused Netanyahu of "thwarting" a deal to retain control of Philadelphi Corridor.[38] 1,000 people gathered in the city of Rehovot in a show of support for the family of abducted soldier Nimrod Cohen.[39] In Jerusalem, protesters lined the streets around Paris Square.[39] some also gathered outside the homes of Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Foreign Minister Israel Katz.[39]

Protest in front of the Kirya, September 4

On 4 September 2024, thousands of Israelis protested for the fourth "Day of Rage".[40][41][42] Demonstrators gathered in front of the homes of Ministers Israel Katz, Shlomo Karhi, Yoav Kish, Ron Dermer, and other ministers across the country. Meanwhile, the main protest took place outside the Begin Gate of the Kirya Base in Tel Aviv, where clashes occurred with the police. Protesters also blocked Highway 4.[41]

On 5 September 2024, thousands of Israelis protested for the fifth "Day of Rage" in Tel Aviv.[43][44][45] Hundreds more protested in several locations in Jerusalem.[44] Their main slogan was "if there won't be an hostage deal, we'll burn the country, this is the last chance" (Hebrew: אם לא תהיה עסקה, נבעיר את המדינה, זאת ההזדמנות האחרונה).[46]

On 7 September 2024, Hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested in 95 different locations in Israel.[47][48] Organizers estimate some 400,000 at Tel Aviv rally. Thousands also demonstrated in Beersheba, Haifa, and Jerusalem.[49][50] Dozens demonstrated outside The District Court of Tel Aviv after a protester was arrested and imprisoned at Neve Tirtza.[51] Hundreds demonstrated at Kibbutz HaOgen, on Highway 4, and on Pardes Hanna-Karkur.[52] Protesters blocked Ayalon Highway for a short period of time.[53][54] 5 were arrested in Tel Aviv,[55] and 3 were Injured in the protests and received medical treatment.[56][57]

Movements

Hostages and Missing Families Forum

The youth march calling for the return of the kidnapped in Gaza

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum (Hebrew: מטה המשפחות להחזרת החטופים והנעדרים) is a body established by the families of the abductees who were kidnapped to Gaza as part of the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, and by the families of the missing persons as a result of this attack.

They have been one of the main protesting movements, attempting to pressure the government into accepting the hostage deal. Their demands are;

  • Immediate release of all hostages, since their holding is contrary to international law and defined as a war crime and a crime against humanity.
  • Immediate opening of a humanitarian corridor to supply medicines and necessary equipment to the chronically ill and injured. and examination of all hostages by a doctor.
  • Intervention and assistance of the leaders of the neighboring countries in favor of the immediate release of the kidnapped hostages.

Kulanu Hatufim

"National Disruption Day", 20th May 2024

Kulanu Hatufim (Hebrew: כולנו חטופים; lit. 'We Are All Hostages') is a protest movement consisting of family hostages and their supporters. They protest every day at HaKirya (near the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces at begin gate), demanding an instant hostage deal.

Kaplan Force

Kaplan Force (Hebrew: כוח קפלן) is a liberal umbrella organization based in Israel, that is carrying out protests actions against Netanyahu's government. Kaplan Force defines themselves as a civil force of a number of liberal protest organizations and movements in Israel. They've demonstrated at the 2023 Israeli judicial reform protests and now demonstrating at the protests for an hostage deal and demanding the resignation of the government.[58][59][60]

Political repression

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the protesters and addressed a counter-demonstration in Jerusalem.[61] Ben-Gvir was criticized for seizing control of and police to suppress anti-government protests.[62][63] According to Ma'arach Atzurim (Arrested Array), as of 3rd July 2023, 1,635 Israelis were arrested since 1st January 2023, and more than 650 were arrested on the current wave of protests (415 from January to July 2024).[64][65]

As of 20th June 2024, violence tracking organization Alimut Israel has reported of 344 police brutality cases since January 2024.[66] There are at least 22 reported instances of Injuries,[15][16][17][18][34][32][56] and 4 instances of stun grenade use.[67]

Response

Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has remained largely defiant in the face of the protests and strikes,[68] ignoring them most of the time.[69]

After September 2024 Israel hostage deal protests wave, Netanyahu has made a speech about the Philadelphi corridor without mentioning the protests.[70]

Israel's Leader of the Opposition Yair Lapid supported the strike of the Histadrut and the September protests, and accused the Netanyahu administration of leading the nation into "the greatest anarchy".[71]

Worldwide

US President Joe Biden said he needed to do more after nearly 11 months of fighting,[70] but also said Israel is not doing enough to secure a hostage deal and ceasefire with Hamas.[72]

Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, said: "We saw last weekend that purely military pressure endangers the lives of the hostages".[73]

References

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