Israelis protest Netanyahu ahead of elections

Thousands of Israelis protested in Tel Aviv against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government three days before general elections, which many view as a referendum on his leadership. The demonstration was organized by the October Council, a group formed by families of victims and hostages from the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Protesters demand accountability for security failures that enabled the Hamas assault, which sparked the Gaza war, and call for an independent state commission of inquiry. Leaders of four major opposition parties attended, including Gadi Eisenkot, whose poll ratings now nearly match Netanyahu's. The government has refused to establish such a commission. Recent polls published before a pre-election blackout show no political bloc is projected to win a parliamentary majority. The protest culminated three years of civil society and opposition efforts. US President Donald Trump has expressed "full and unconditional" support for Netanyahu ahead of the vote.