Rallies held across Israel to protest dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and to call for a deal for the release of the hostages
Former IDF chief and defense minister Moshe Ya'alon called for Israelis to expand their protests against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "to the point of civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance."
Ya'alon was speaking to a crowd of several thousands who gathered in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening to protest Netanyahu's dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and to call for the return of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
The demonstration kicked off with a rally at Agranat Square in the government compound, after which protesters began marching toward the private residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Gaza Road where Einav Zangauker had erected a protest tent. Zangauker's son, Matan, is being held captive by Hamas in Gaza.
Ya'alon slammed the decision on Tuesday to dismiss Gallant. "Who would have believed that a prime minister would replace an experienced defense minister with an inexperienced one in the middle of an endless war on seven fronts just to preserve his coalition?" Yaalon said. A large contingent of police were deployed in the arena including mounted police and two water cannons.