In Israel, mass protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took place ahead of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 27. Participants in the demonstrations are demanding an independent investigation into the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023, and that the authorities be held accountable for security failures. This was reported by Lithuanian broadcaster LRT, writes UNN.
Details
One of the last major rallies before the vote took place at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv. Among the protesters were relatives of those killed during the Hamas attack, who still have not received answers as to why Israeli intelligence was unable to prevent the attack.
We demand the truth. We want to know why the October 7 massacre happened, why 1,200 people were killed. We want a genuine investigation into what happened before that day
Netanyahu accused of security failures
According to LRT, a preliminary investigation by Israel's domestic intelligence service found that a number of decisions made by Netanyahu's previous governments created the conditions for the Hamas attack.
The prime minister himself opposes a broader independent investigation, arguing that it would be political in nature.
Protesters also criticize the authorities over the prolonged process of returning the hostages, corruption scandals and the deepening division in Israeli society.
Additional discontent has been caused by the situation in the West Bank. Ahead of the elections, the Israeli authorities launched a new military operation there that involves the evacuation of more than a thousand Palestinians and the demolition of some buildings.
National security and accountability for the events of October 7 have become some of the central issues of the election campaign in Israel.
Israel will close all crossings into the West Bank on election day — BBC25.10.26, 17:02