Thousands of Israelis protest against Gallant dismissal for second night in a row

Thousands of Israelis demonstrated across the country for the second night in a row after the dismissal of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Large demonstrations were held in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, with smaller gatherings in dozens of other locations, however, the numbers of protesters were even smaller than the day before, Israeli media reported.

Organizers had already been disappointed by the turnout for the protests the day before that aimed to repeat history and possibly, force Netanyahu to cancel Gallant’s dismissal a second time.

In Jerusalem, thousands gathered at the Knesset, before some of them marched to the Prime Minister’s residence, where hostage families led a sit-in.

עינב צנגאוקר ויהודה כהן, שילדיהם חטופים בעזה, הגיעו הערב למחאה מול מעון ראש הממשלה שברחוב עזה והתקבלו במחיאות כפיים וקריאות: "אתם לא לבד, אנחנו איתכם". בשעות האחרונות מתקיימת ברחוב מחאה שקטה של נשים בלבן הקוראות להשיב את החטופים pic.twitter.com/HaXhsLHf2x

— Inbar Twizer ענבר טויזר (@inbartvizer) November 6, 2024

At the Knesset rally, speakers demanded the reinstatement of Gallant, the cancellation of planned laws they say are meant to enshrine IDF draft exemptions for ultra-Orthodox, the approval of a hostage deal, and a state commission investigating government failures on Oct. 7.

Among the speakers was Rabbi Jeremy Stavisky, a former principal of the Himmelfarb High School for religious boys, which has lost 17 former graduates during the war so far. Stavisky called for ultra-orthodox men to join their national religious brothers and serve in the IDF.

“Has morality disappeared from our religious life?” asked Stavisky. “Every time I see the cynical ‘we will rather die than enlist’ sign, an image of my son-in-law Yinon flashes before my eyes.” Yinon Fleishman was Stavisky’s son-in-law and was killed during the war.

“Who would have thought that the prime minister would replace an experienced defense minister with an inexperienced one during a never-ending war on seven fronts in order to preserve his coalition,” asked former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon during his speech.

The protest turned rowdier as some of the protesters marched to the Prime Minister’s residence, where police had set roadblocks and prepared water cannons to prevent them from reaching Netanyahu’s home. Police later said some demonstrators threw flares and disturbed public order.

The gathering was led by Einav Zangauker, among other hostage family representatives. “Yesterday, after Gallant was fired, we realized that Gallant was an obstacle to the deal and Netanya fired him in order not to return Matan to me,” Zangauker said.

“Maybe they think they can ignore the people's will; we cannot be ignored. We are the hope and will bring everyone home. One sentence is most important for our hostages to hear – we will not give up.”

Another large demonstration was held in Tel Aviv, where thousands again blocked traffic on the central Ayalon Highway, lit bonfires and chanted slogans against Netanyahu and his government.

Police again used foul-smelling “skunk” liquid to disperse the demonstration after protesters had taken hundreds of cinder blocks from a nearby construction site and placed them on the road.

Overall, dozens of protesters were arrested in numerous other demonstrations across the nation.