‘Biden save them from Netanyahu’: 120,000 rally in Tel Aviv against Israeli govt, demand hostage deal

Thousands of anti-government protesters took to the streets in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, on Saturday (Jun 1) and called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to work on the deal to release hostages held by the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza after the October 7 attack.

At least 120,000 rally in Tel Aviv

While Israel has faced months of near-weekly protests since Netanyahu returned to power due to his government’s various policies, including the proposed judicial overhaul and more recently the war in Gaza, Saturday’s rally was said to be one of the largest since Hamas’ October 7 attack.

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Israelis have also called on Netanyahu to resign and for the country to hold early elections.

WATCH |Israel urges Netanyahu to 'stand up & publicly accept' truce deal

Organisers of the protest, as per Times of Israel said some 120,000 demonstrators attended the Tel Aviv rally. Similar rallies reportedly took place in several places across the country.

The rally was also marked by clashes, speeches and massive banners one of which according to images from the protest read “Biden save them from Netanyahu,” seemingly speaking about the hostages, which Hamas took back to Gaza after attacking Israel on October 7.

Police and protesters clash

Protesters, during the rally on Saturday, clashed with the police, according to Israeli media reports and videos on social media.

A report by Haaretz said two protesters were arrested and that the police used a sound cannon to disperse the thousands of demonstrators gathered.

Israeli news site, Ynet reported that the police had also brought a water cannon to the rally but did not use it.

At least 14 police officers including Chief Superintendent Avi Ofer and the deputy commander of the Tel Aviv Police Department, were injured during clashes with the protesters, reported Ynet.

‘Thank you, President Biden’

Protesters thanked United States President Joe Biden for his speech which called on the Israeli government and Hamas to accept the recent ceasefire proposal by Israel and end the ongoing war in Gaza.

Biden, on Friday (May 31) unveiled a three-phase Israeli proposal to Hamas seeking to end the almost eight-month-long war. If accepted, the deal in question would lead to a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave and the release of hostages held by the militant group.

“A step away from a victory that will never come, we’re surrounded by enemies, the whole world’s against us,” said the former head of the finance ministry’s budget department, Shaul Meridor at the rally, referring to Netanyahu’s repeated claims that Israel is close to victory.

He added, “Last night, we received a reminder of what a real leader looks like, who cares for Israel’s future and not his own. Thank you, President Biden.”

Hostages and Missing Families Forum, on Saturday night also called for mass protests warning that there would be “very strong attempts to torpedo the deal”.

Israeli ministers threaten to quit

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, two members of the Israeli PM’s right-wing coalition, have threatened to quit if the latest Gaza ceasefire deal is accepted, potentially leading to the collapse of the governing coalition.

Meanwhile, the leader of the opposition Yair Lapid pledged to back the government if the Israeli PM accepted the plan.

Smotrich, in a post on social media, said he told Netanyahu he would “not be part of a government that agrees to the proposed outline and ends the war without destroying Hamas and bringing back all the hostages”.

Similarly, Ben-Gvir called the deal “reckless” and one that “constitutes a victory for terrorism and a security threat to the State of Israel”. He also vowed to “dissolve the government” rather than agree to the proposal.

Notably, Biden during his speech had warned that some people in the governing coalition have “made it clear” that they want to “occupy Gaza.”

He added, “Well, I’ve urged leadership in Israel to stand behind this deal, despite whatever pressure comes.”

(With inputs from agencies)