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Tel Aviv rally demands an October 7 inquiry three days before election

Thousands gathered in Tel Aviv to demand an independent state inquiry into the security failures surrounding the October 7, 2023 attacks. Opposition leaders joined the rally organized by the October Council. With Israel voting on 27 October, the dispute also concerns who would appoint the investigators examining the government’s responsibility.

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A large crowd seen from behind fills a sunlit civic plaza, with Israeli flags, trees and city buildings beyond.

Families bring their inquiry demand to Hostages Square

Thousands rallied at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on 24 October to demand an investigation into the security failures surrounding the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. The October Council, a group formed by families of hostages and victims, organized the demonstration. Opposition leaders joined the gathering.[1], [2]

Demonstrators also marched from Rabin Square toward the rally. Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the opposition Yashar party, and Democrats leader Yair Golan were among those attending. The families’ demand centers on an official examination of responsibility for the failure to prevent the attack.[1]

Government and opposition disagree on who appoints investigators

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition has rejected an independent commission. Its alternative would give the government the appointment of half the members and opposition lawmakers the other half. Opposition leaders say they would boycott a politically appointed body. The appointment dispute remains central to the families’ campaign for accountability.[1]

Israel votes three days after the rally

The demonstration came three days before the general election scheduled for 27 October. Pre-election polls indicated a close race between Netanyahu’s right-wing bloc and Eisenkot’s bloc, with neither projected to secure a parliamentary majority. Before the rally, the October Council warned police of possible attempts by government supporters to disrupt it. That was the organizers’ warning about a potential provocation.[1]

References

  1. News sourceAl JazeeraThousands in Tel Aviv demand independent October 7 inquiry↩1↩2↩3↩4
  2. News sourceThe Jerusalem PostThousands rally in Tel Aviv for October 7 inquiry↩
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