‘A stain on each member of this gov’t’: Israel braces for nationwide day of protest over hostages
Organizers said the six convoys are meant to signal that “anyone traveling on Israel’s roads will feel the shutdown.”
Israel will come to a standstill on Sunday as the families of the hostages and the October Council lead a nationwide day of solidarity, with more than 300 demonstrations expected across the country.
Events will run from 6:29 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with widespread participation from civic groups, academic institutions, and municipal leaders.
Six protest convoys are scheduled to set out at 7:30 a.m. from Tel Aviv, Latrun, Haifa, and Highway 6. Organizers said the convoys are meant to signal that “anyone traveling on Israel’s roads will feel the shutdown.”
At 7:10 a.m., activists will hold a “wake-up call” for members of the government, declaring: “October 7 will forever be a stain on each member of this government, the greatest failure in Israel’s history occurred on their watch.”
Hostage square protest in Tel Aviv agasint the war and for the release of the hostages. (credit: NAAMA ZEEVI RIVLIN)
Demonstrations in major Israeli cities
Major demonstrations are planned in key cities.
In Tel Aviv, the march from Tel Aviv University will begin at 8:00 a.m., alongside protests at Hapil and Rokach/Namir junctions, a rally at City Hall, and the “white coats” march by medical staff to Hostage Square. The main rally, “Israel Stops,” will take place at 8:00 p.m. at Hostage Square.
In Jerusalem, neighborhood protests will start at 7:10 a.m., including those outside the President’s Residence and in Beit Hakerem, followed by a march from Givat Ram at 9:30 a.m.
Demonstrations will take place in Haifa at Kikar Sefer, the Grand Canyon mall, and Kikar Ziv all throughout the day.
In Beersheba, protests will take place outside of the Government Complex and IDF Southern Command.
Dozens of mayors across Israel announced their support, including Haim Bibas, chairman of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel; Shai Hajaj, chairman of the Regional Councils Center; and Tel Aviv Mayor, Ron Huldai. While municipalities are not legally permitted to suspend operations, they pledged to dedicate Sunday’s public activity to advocating for the hostages’ release and pressing leaders “to push quickly for a deal.”
Several universities also announced they will join the strike, including the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Tel Aviv University, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, and the Open University of Israel.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum said the day of protest aims to demand the release of all hostages and an end to the war as part of an agreement. The central rally is set for 8:00 p.m. at Hostage Square in Tel Aviv.
