Hundreds of thousands rage in Israel - "Liar! Resign!"

 

Israel
Mass protests in Israel: “Liar! Resign!"

Nora Fernstedt

Updated 20.16 | Published 19.41

Israel rages after six hostages are found dead.

Hundreds of thousands have gathered in the streets of Tel Aviv to protest against the government.

- Netanyahu plays Russian roulette every day, says Einav Zangauker whose son was taken hostage.

The news that six hostages were found dead in an underground tunnel in Gaza shakes Israel.

Three of the people would be part of a hostage release that was being negotiated, writes Haaretz and refers to an intelligence source.

Many believe that their lives could have been saved if only Israel and Hamas had agreed on an agreement for the release and cease-fire in Gaza.

Protests in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv

Now the pressure is increasing on Benjamin Netanyhau and his government to immediately reach an agreement that results in the release of the hostages.

The protests in the country during Sunday evening are expected to be the largest since the Gaza war began.

Just after 7 p.m., hundreds of thousands of people had gathered in the streets of Tel Aviv, according to  Sky News correspondent Alistair Bunkall.

- There is anger, it is real anger in a way that I have not experienced in Israel in the last eleven months.

According to Haaretz, around a hundred people have blocked a major highway. Mounted police and water cannons are used to disperse the crowds.

 

 

Demonstrators in Jerusalem on Sunday.
1 / 4Photo: AP

"Liar! Resign!"

In Jerusalem, people have been gathering outside the Knesset and Netanyahu's office since the afternoon.

Some have blocked roads and others hold up placards with pictures of their loved ones who are still being held hostage.

- The government has to learn the hard way what is important, says a protester to the  Times of Israel.

Sky News is reporting clashes with police and security forces, with people being dragged away from the crowd.

Yael Engel, the aunt of a teenage boy who was held hostage but released in November, spoke at the protest, saying the hostage's family members "did not want to attack Benjamin Netanyahu personally"

- But you continue to use the families' grief for your own personal gain, Engel said and ended his speech by shouting "Liar! Resign!"

 

The protests are expected to be the largest since the war in Gaza began.
1 / 5 Photo: AP

Giant strike: Airport closes

At the same time, the trade union umbrella organization Histradut has announced a general strike on Monday.

The aim is to put pressure on the government to have the Israeli hostages released.

- We get body bags instead of an agreement. I have come to the conclusion that only our intervention can affect those who need to be affected, says Arnon Bar-David, chairman of the Histadrut, according to the Times of Israel.

Among other things, the strike causes the international Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv to close. Preschools are closed and schools only have lessons until lunch.

Several municipalities, including Tel Aviv, have said they are supporting the protest by canceling public meetings and allowing employees to participate in the planned demonstrations.

Already during Sunday, many restaurants and cinemas close to protest against the government.