5,000 gather in Tel Aviv to demand probe before Tuesday vote

Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to demand an independent inquiry into the government's handling of the October 7, 2023 attacks, three days before a general election.

The rally took place at Hostages Square, a public plaza in the city center. The October Council, a group established by the families of captives taken to Gaza, organized the event. The group is seeking a state commission to investigate why the Hamas attack occurred. Council leaders described the gathering as the culminating event of their three-year campaign for accountability. They noted that they had sent an urgent letter to the Police Commissioner warning of potential disruptions from entities linked to the current coalition.

Leading opposition figures joined the demonstrators in Tel Aviv. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's main rival on the center-right, attended the rally. He was greeted by chants asking who would become the next prime minister. Yair Golan, head of the Democrats party, also participated in the event. Lawyer Dan Adin posted on social media that large crowds moved from Rabin Square to Hostages Square, describing the energy of the march as belonging entirely to the demonstrators. Haaretz reported that similar anti-government demonstrations occurred in other parts of Israel on the same day.

Current polling data indicates a tight race for Tuesday's vote. Netanyahu's right-wing bloc, which has held power since late 2022, is currently even with Eisenkot's coalition. Neither side is projected to win a majority of seats in the Knesset. The election outcome may influence Israel's military posture toward Iran. Eisenkot is viewed as less likely to resume strikes against Tehran if he assumes the premiership. However, major parties remain aligned on most other foreign policy issues, including opposition to an independent Palestinian state.

The core dispute over the investigation remains unresolved. Netanyahu's government has rejected calls for an independent commission of inquiry. Instead, the coalition proposed 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 such a body if it is appointed by politicians rather than serving as an independent judicial review.

The rally marks the third anniversary of the attacks that started the war in Gaza. The October Council continues to press for a formal state inquiry to hold officials responsible for the security lapses on that day. The event serves as a final public demonstration before the voting begins on Tuesday.