Massive Tel Aviv Protests Demand Alliance to Remove Netanyahu
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Thousands filled the streets of Tel Aviv urging the Israeli opposition to join with Arab parties and finally end Benjamin Netanyahu’s rule, while counter-protesters defended him and rejected any such coalition.
In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered to demand that the Israeli opposition form a coalition with Arab parties in an effort to oust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Protesters said this may be the "last chance for real change," denouncing Netanyahu as a "great manipulator" whose grip on power has long blocked accountability and progress. Main opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has previously dismissed the idea of partnering with Arab parties, but the recent election deadlock may force such an alliance if there is any hope of securing a governing majority.
Al Jazeera correspondent Nour Odeh reported that many demonstrators believe Eisenkot and other Jewish-Israeli leaders must finally listen to the public’s call for change. At the same time, counter-protesters supporting Netanyahu insisted that Israel should not form a government with what they called "so-called terrorists," exposing the deep political divide over who gets included in the country’s future.
In the recent elections, Netanyahu's bloc secured 53 seats while Eisenkot's garnered 48, leaving both short of a majority in the 120-seat Knesset. The three Arab-led parties achieved significant electoral success, winning 19 seats, which could enable a coalition with Eisenkot for a comfortable majority of 67 seats. However, the prospect of aligning with Arab parties remains deeply controversial among many Israelis despite the arithmetic pointing toward a possible path out of paralysis.
Netanyahu has accused Palestinian-Israeli parties of manipulating the elections and accepting foreign funding, claims that Qatar has dismissed as disinformation. Odeh noted that right-wing Israeli factions have labeled the high turnout of Palestinian-Israeli voters as "electoral terrorism," linking it to the October 7th attack by Hamas, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages.