Protesters Demand State Probe Before Vote

Israelis take to the streets for a general election three days before voting begins.

Approximately 5,000 people assembled at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand an independent investigation into the security failures that allowed the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. The rally, organized by the October Council, marks three years since captives were taken to Gaza. The group has long pushed for a state commission of inquiry to examine the government's role in the events that preceded the war in Gaza.

The October Council stated on X that the gathering would serve as the culminating event in their three-year struggle for truth and accountability. Protesters in other parts of Israel also joined antigovernment demonstrations, according to Haaretz. The political stakes are high as the country heads to the polls on Tuesday. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main centre-right rival, attended the Tel Aviv rally. He was joined by Yair Golan, leader of the Democrats party.

Crowds greeted Eisenkot with chants asking, "Who's coming? The next prime minister," according to The Times of Israel. Lawyer and citizen Dan Adin described the scene on X, noting "masses, masses of masses" flowing from Rabin Square to Hostages Square. He added, "What energy. This time it's ours completely!" The presence of opposition leaders underscored the rally's political dimension in the final days before voting.

Pre-election polls indicate a tight race. Netanyahu's right-wing bloc, which has held power since late 2022, is currently neck and neck with Eisenkot's coalition. Neither side is projected to secure a majority of seats in the Knesset. The outcome may influence whether Israel resumes military strikes on Iran. Eisenkot is viewed as less inclined to restart attacks on Tehran if he becomes prime minister, though most leading parties remain united on other foreign policy issues, including opposition to an independent Palestinian state.

Tensions were expected before the rally began. The October Council warned law enforcement of possible provocations from pro-government agitators. In a letter to the Police Commissioner, the group cited alerts about attempts by coalition-linked entities to disrupt the event. The council seeks to hold specific Israeli officials responsible for the October 7 attacks accountable. Netanyahu's government has refused to establish a fully independent commission, proposing instead a political commission where half the members would be appointed by the government and the rest by opposition legislators. Opposition leaders have stated they would boycott a commission appointed by politicians.

The vote takes place on Tuesday. The rally in Tel Aviv concluded with the continued demand for a state-level inquiry rather than a political one.