Opposition figures join Tel Aviv protesters demanding an independent investigation on October 7. Published October 24, 2026 October 24, 2026 Thousands of Israelis are protesting against the government and calling for an independent investigation into the security failures that led to the October 7, 2023 attacks. Protesters demonstrated in the public square known as Hostage Square in Tel Aviv on Saturday, three days before Israel’s first general election since the genocidal war in Gaza began.Recommended Stories 3-item listend The protest was organized by the October Council, a group founded by the families of captives taken to Gaza three years ago, to demand accountability for the government’s failure to prevent the Hamas attack that preceded the war. Protesters were also gathering for anti-government demonstrations, the Haaretz newspaper reported. Leading figures from opposition parties participated, including Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party, which is Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s main center-right rival. In Tel Aviv, Eisenkot was greeted with chants of “Who’s coming? The next prime minister,” according to The Times of Israel. The leader of the Democrats, Yair Golan, was also at the demonstration. “Masses, masses of masses, flowing in the march of the ‘democrats’ from Rabin Square to Hostage Square – for change, for hope, for revolution. What energy! This time it is completely ours!”, published Israeli citizen and lawyer Dan Adin in Neither bloc is currently expected to win a majority of seats in Israel’s parliament. The elections could be pivotal in determining whether Israel launches another round of attacks on Iran. Eisenkot is believed to be less inclined to resume military action against Tehran if he becomes Israel’s next prime minister. However, on most other foreign policy issues, the main Israeli parties and politicians remain united, including in their opposition to the creation of an independent Palestinian state. Before the protest, the October Council alerted law enforcement about possible “provocations” by pro-government agitators. “Tonight’s demonstration,” he wrote in X. The October Council aims to hold accountable Israeli officials deemed responsible for the October 7 attacks and bring justice to the affected families. However, Netanyahu’s coalition government has rejected demands to establish an independent investigative commission. Instead, he has offered to create a “political” commission. Half of the commission members would be appointed by the government, while the rest would be appointed by opposition lawmakers. Opposition leaders have said they would boycott a commission appointed by politicians.
