Anti-government protests in Tel Aviv continue but subdued, following Jerusalem terror attacks

The protests in Habima Square and on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv began with a minute of silence for the seven Israelis killed in Friday evening’s terror attack outside of a synagogue in Neve Yaakov, Jerusalem.

Israel’s former Prime Minister Yair Lapid attended a similar protest in Jerusalem, where he lit candles in honor of those who were shot and killed on Friday.

Lapid said he initially planned to attend the anti-government protests in Haifa but changed his mind following the attacks on Friday and Saturday, which together targeted a dozen people in Jerusalem.

“We came to Jerusalem to remind everyone that we are one people. We stand against terrorism as one nation,” Lapid said.

National Unity party leader and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz chose to visit the site of Friday night’s attack instead of attending the protests.

“I came this evening to the scene of the attack in Neve Yaakov to light a candle in memory of those killed. Facing terror – all the people of Israel are united,” Gantz said.

Israel’s former Police Commissioner Roni Alsheich also announced that he would not speak at an anti-government protest as originally planned.

Smaller rallies were held outside Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s residence in Caesarea and outside of President Isaac Herzog’s residence in Jerusalem, as well as in Haifa and Beersheva.

The protests in Tel Aviv were smaller than previous demonstrations earlier this month, with Haaretz newspaper estimating that about 60,000 people gathered at both protest sites.

In contrast to the previous protests, Saturday’s gatherings lacked a festive atmosphere and no music was played.