Anti-government protesters gathered in Jerusalem on Thursday, converging on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence to demand his resignation. The demonstrators, numbering in the thousands, lit a bonfire on the street outside his home, chanting slogans and waving signs.
“We’ve been abandoned – Elections now!” read one prominent sign. The protesters, equipped with megaphones, flags, and snare drums, created a loud and visible presence as police officers stood guard at barricades. Despite the intensity of the demonstration, no major scuffles were reported, and the police refrained from using water cannons, a measure employed during past, more tumultuous protests.
These protests have become more frequent as the conflict with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon continues to escalate. Many in the crowd voiced their support for reaching a deal to free approximately 120 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.
As night fell, the protesters blocked traffic and maintained the large bonfire on the central street. Despite the growing unrest, Netanyahu retains a stable majority in parliament, and the protest movement has yet to bring about significant political change.
