• 21 Aug, 2019

• By, Wikipedia

2024 Israeli Protests

CasualtiesInjuries30+ protesters (1 critically)
14 police officersArrested750+

The 2024 Israeli protests are a series of demonstrations, instances of civil disorder, and riots 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. The 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.

On 1 September 2024, after six hostages were found killed in the Gaza Strip, the protest organizations announced a day of demonstrations, with more than 500,000 people having protested throughout the country and outside of it for a hostage deal. The Histadrut went on a day of strike the following day.

The earliest rounds of protests against Netanyahu and his government started between 2020 and 2021, after he tried to delay his trial. These early protests, were colloquially called "the Black Flag Protests", and later "the Balfour Protests" (named after the official residence of the Prime Minister, which is on the corner of Balfour Street). The next round of protests came between January and October 2023 in response to the government's push for a wide-ranging judicial reform, aimed to change the makeup of the Judicial Selection Committee. The current round of protests aims to pressure Netanyahu to sign a hostage deal and step down; the protesters consider Netanyahu a major factor in Israel's political crises over the last few years, ultimately leading to the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the ensuing Israel–Hamas war.

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

Since the start of the war, there have been more than 336 protests in the district of Tel Aviv, 201 protests in the district of Jerusalem and 703 protests on other places across the country.

On 5 November 2023, thousands rallied in Tel Aviv for hostages deal, 3 were arrested in Jerusalem.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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. Right-wing activists threw stones at them and minor clashes occurred.

On 21 July 2024, protesters blocked Ben Gurion Airport, ahead of Netanyahu's departure for a meeting in the United States, and chanted: "No deal, no flight".

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

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. In Ness Ziona, the grandfather of hostage Naama Levy addressed a demonstration for an immediate hostage release deal.

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

On 31 August 2024, families of hostages and many others protested in Tel Aviv and across Israel, fumed at Netanyahu as clashes occurred. Some blocked Ayalon highway for a short time, and were confronted by right-wing activists.

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. The largest protests since 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel took place on the same day, with 300,000 protesting in Tel Aviv and 200,000 in additional parts of Israel, according to Hostages and Missing Families Forum. MK Naama Lazimi was injured when police threw stun grenades into Ayalon highway. A total of 34+ protesters were arrested, but courts released 18 of them without further punishment. At least 4 were injured.

The Israel Business Forum, which represents around 200 of the country's biggest companies, said workers "would be allowed to join the strike." The Arab citizens of Israel joined the strike. The planned strike started officially on 2 September at 6 AM and was scheduled to last until evening, but a petition against it was filed at a labour court, which demanded to end the strike earlier than originally planned. At least 13 were arrested for blocking Ayalon highway.

On 2 September 2024, tens of thousands of Israelis protested for the second "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. Netanyahu has made a speech about the Philadelphi Corridor, but it was met with mixed reactions from Israeli politicians and public opinion.

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. 1,000 people gathered in the city of Rehovot in a show of support for the family of abducted soldier Nimrod Cohen. In Jerusalem, protesters lined the streets around Paris Square. some also gathered outside the homes of Justice Minister Yariv Levin and Foreign Minister Israel Katz.

On 4 September 2024, thousands of Israelis protested for the fourth "Day of Rage". Demonstrators gathered in front of the homes of the Ministers Israel Katz, Shlomo Karhi, Yoav Kish, Ron Dermer, and some others across the country. The main protest took place outside the Begin Gate of the Kirya Base in Tel Aviv. Clashes occurred with the police. Protesters also blocked Highway 4.

On 5 September 2024, thousands of Israelis protested for the fifth "Day of Rage" in Tel Aviv. Hundreds more protested in several locations in Jerusalem.

On 7 September 2024, hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested in 95 different locations across Israel. Organizers estimate some 400,000 at Tel Aviv rally. Thousands also demonstrated in Beersheba, Haifa, and Jerusalem. Dozens demonstrated outside the District Court of Tel Aviv after a protester was arrested and imprisoned at Neve Tirtza. Hundreds demonstrated at Kibbutz HaOgen, on Highway 4, and on Pardes Hanna-Karkur. Protesters blocked Ayalon Highway for a short period of time. 5 were arrested in Tel Aviv, and 3 were injured in the protests and received medical treatment.

On 14 September 2024, tens of thousands of Israelis protested in 67 locations across Israel, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, and Caesarea, near Prime Minister Netanyahu's private residence. In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered outside the IDF headquarters, demanding a hostage deal. During the protests, the family of Matan Angrest, a hostage, released a recording of him from captivity. Protesters later gathered near the Halacha Bridge and burned tires. Fifteen protesters were arrested in Tel Aviv, and one was arrested in Jerusalem. Small skirmishes broke out between protesters and police in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli politician and a former member of the Knesset for the Labor Party, Ami Ayalon, said: "Non-violent civil disobedience is the order of the day, it's our duty".

On 21 September 2024, tens of thousands of Israelis protested in 91 locations across Israel, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Rehovot and HaOgen junction. Protesters also gathered outside the home of Israeli president Isaac Herzog. Yehuda Cohen, father of hostage Nimrod Cohen, asked the international community to pressure Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the rally taking place in Tel Aviv. Protesters accompanied chairman of Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Yuli Edelstein, on walk to his synagogue, a week after women arrested for distributing hostage flyers in there. Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced that "only an unprecedented, widespread and powerful public struggle will bring them back".

On 7 October 2024, Israelis protested nationwide against Netanyahu, marking one year since the Hamas-led attack on Israel. Some protesters set off a siren outside Beit Aghion, Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem. Thousands more formed human chains in over 70 locations. At the same time, a demonstration calling for the release of hostages was held in front of the Begin Gate at the Kirya in Tel Aviv.

On 22 October 2024, protest erupted in Tel Aviv during U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Israel. Protesters gathered beneath the hotel where Blinken was staying, and held signs against Netanyahu and for an hostage deal.

On 5 November 2024, after Netanyahu fired Yoav Gallant, protesters blocked the main road in Tel Aviv and also set fires around the area. Protesters also gathered in Jerusalem and clashed in front of Benjamin Netanyahu's residence.

Dr. Avi Ofer went on a hunger strike for 35 days, from 4 May to 4 June 2024, calling for the release of hostages. other protesters joined his hunger strike as well. Some reports state that 200 Israelis participated in some form of hunger strike during this 35 day period.

On 18 September 2024, 14 activists went on a hunger strike, initiated by Israeli anti-war activist Orna Shimoni, aged 83. David Agmon, who served as the bureau chief for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, also joined the hunger strike. The hunger strikers frequently gather outside the Knesset, with some even setting up protest camps there.

On 5 October 2024, the number of hunger strikers grew to 18. In the same month, it was reported that 15 doctors had joined the hunger strike.

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 (Hebrew: כולנו חטופים; lit. 'we are all hostages') is an organization advocating for the hostages held in Gaza. Members of the organization include family members of the hostages, along with many supporters. They protest every day at HaKirya (near the office of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces at the gate on Begin Road), demanding an immediate deal to release the hostages.

Kaplan Force (Hebrew: כוח קפלן) is a liberal umbrella organization based in Israel, that is carrying out demonstrations against Netanyahu's government. Kaplan Force define themselves as a civil force of a collection of liberal protest organizations in Israel.

Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir criticized the protesters and addressed a counter-demonstration in Jerusalem. Ben-Gvir was criticized for seizing control of and police to suppress anti-government protests. According to Ma'arach Atzurim (Arrested Array), as of 3 July 2024, 1,635 Israelis were arrested since 1 January 2023, and more than 700 were arrested from since Israel-Hamas war started.

As of 20 June 2024, violence tracking organization Alimut Israel has reported of 344 police brutality cases since January 2024. There are at least 30 reported instances of Injuries, and 4 instances of stun grenade use as of 16th November 2024.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has largely remained defiant in the face of protests and strikes, often ignoring them. However, in one instance, he criticized the protesters, describing them as "a violent and extremist minority funded by external sources".

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

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".

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

Annalena Baerbock, German Foreign Minister, said that "military pressure endangers the lives of the hostages".