Ahead of elections: protest in Tel Aviv this evening 'to protect democracy'

Protest organizations will return this evening to Habima Square in Tel Aviv, demanding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry, equality in the burden of military service, and protection of the integrity of the elections. The organizers warn against the use of public resources for political purposes and harm to democratic rules of the game. The protest will begin at 8:00 PM.

Ahead of the upcoming elections, protest organizations are expected to return this evening (Saturday) to Habima Square in Tel Aviv and demonstrate, demanding the establishment of an independent state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7 and the war, equality in the burden of military service, and protection of the integrity of the elections and democracy. The protest is expected to begin at 8:00 PM. Ahead of the protest, the organizers claim that the current period requires heightened public vigilance. "The elections are near, and the government of the judicial coup and draft evasion is in the twilight of its term," they said. According to them, it is necessary to stand against "any attempt to establish facts, use public resources for political purposes, or harm the democratic rules of the game." The organizers also pointed to several moves from the past week. According to them, following a petition by the Movement for Quality of Government, Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and his Otzma Yehudit party removed three publications in which, according to the movement, prisons and Israel Prison Service resources were used for propaganda purposes. In parallel, the movement demanded to halt the advancement of the appointment of the Fire Commissioner during the election period. Additionally, the movement petitioned against the move to add, according to reports, 400 billion shekels to the defense budget—a process that, in its view, raises serious questions. Ahead of the protest, the movement and protest organizations call on the public to continue their activities and not to stop the protest. "Do not leave the shift, go out to the street and fight for democracy and the rule of law until dawn breaks," they said. Expected to speak at the protest are Eyal Eshel, father of Roni Eshel, who was a lookout and fell at the Nahal Oz command center; Rabbi Attorney Uri Regev, CEO of Hiddush for Religious Freedom and Equality; Attorney Liat Weiss, one of the leaders of Brothers and Sisters for Arms; and Attorney Yossi Sadbon, a retired superintendent, former head of the Investigations Division and commander of the Tel Aviv District Police.