Three days before the election, thousands protest in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu, demanding an independent inquiry

Thousands of people have protested against the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The demonstration was held on Saturday in Tel Aviv demanding a neutral investigation into the security failures that failed to prevent Hamas's attack on 7 October 2023, and accountability for those responsible.

The protesters gathered at Tel Aviv's 'Hostage Square' just three days before the first general election in Israel since the war in Gaza began. The timing gave the rally special significance — the government's most contested failure was being questioned publicly right before the vote.

The rally was organised by a group called the October Council, formed by families of people abducted in Hamas's 7 October 2023 attack. The organisation has been demanding accountability for the government's failure to prevent the attack.

Before the rally, the October Council said in a post on X that, three days before the election, it was staging the final phase of a three-year struggle. Its goals are to uncover the truth, ensure accountability and form a state commission of inquiry.

According to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, people also gathered for anti-government protests in other parts of the country. The protest was not limited to Tel Aviv.

Top leaders of opposition parties took part in the Tel Aviv rally. Among them was Gadi Eisenkot of the Yashar party, known as Netanyahu's main centre-right rival. According to The Times of Israel, protesters welcomed Eisenkot chanting 'Who is coming? The next prime minister!' Democrats party leader Yair Golan was also present.

Israeli citizen and lawyer Dan Adin reported a huge turnout in a post on X. He wrote that the Democrats' march drew a flood of people from Rabin Square to Hostage Square, describing the rally as a reflection of a desire for change, hope and revolution.

Opinion polls published ahead of Tuesday's election point to a very close contest. Netanyahu's right-wing coalition, in power since late 2022, and Eisenkot's coalition are running almost neck and neck. It remains uncertain whether either coalition will win a majority in Israel's parliament.

The election may also matter for a possible Israeli military move against Iran. Eisenkot, if he became prime minister, is thought to be comparatively less eager to launch a fresh military operation against Tehran. On several foreign policy issues, however, including opposition to an independent Palestinian state, Israel's main parties and leaders agree.

Before the protest, the October Council warned law enforcement that some pro-government sides might carry out provocative acts at the rally. In a post on X, the group said it had sent an urgent letter to the police commissioner, noting that some sides linked to the ruling coalition might try to disrupt that night's gathering.

The October Council's core demand is to bring to account the Israeli officials responsible for failing to prevent the 7 October attack and to ensure justice for the affected families — a demand it has raised for three years.

Netanyahu's coalition government, however, has rejected the demand for an independent commission of inquiry. Instead, the government has proposed a political commission, half of whose members would be appointed by the government and half by opposition lawmakers. Opposition leaders have said they will boycott such a politician-formed commission.

The election result will therefore decide whether the failures of 7 October are ever investigated independently. This large rally, three days before voting, has brought that question back in front of voters.