October Council holds massive rally in Tel Aviv's Hostages Square ahead of elections

Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square on Saturday evening for a major rally ahead of Tuesday’s election, demanding accountability for the failures surrounding the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas massacre and the establishment of an independent state commission of inquiry.

Organized by the October Council, which represents former hostages, bereaved families and survivors, the rally was titled “For Them” and featured relatives of those killed or taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attacks, as well as former hostages and political figures.

Among the speakers were Elchanan Danino, father of Ori Danino, who was murdered in Hamas captivity; Zoli Gyongyoshi, the uncle who adopted former hostage Abigail Idan and her two siblings after their parents, Roy and Smadar Idan, were murdered; and former hostage Danielle Aloni.

Other attendees included Maly Zander, whose daughter Noa was murdered at the Nova music festival; Sigal and Menashe Mansouri, whose daughters Norel and Roya were killed at the festival; Vicky Cohen, mother of former hostage Nimrod Cohen; and Yael Adar, whose son Tamir was kidnapped and later murdered.

The rally also took on the character of an opposition gathering ahead of the election, with Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot, Yisrael Beytenu leader Avigdor Liberman and Democrats chairman Yair Golan in attendance.

Rafi Ben Shitrit, father of Elroi Ben Shitrit, who was killed fighting at Nahal Oz and is ranked second on Yisrael Beytenu’s Knesset list, also attended.

Other participants included Omer Ohana, whose partner Sagi Golan was killed fighting in Kibbutz Be’eri; Tomer Zisser, whose husband Ilay was killed that day; Tamar Edri, whose brother Ido was murdered at Nova; Noga Baram, whose brother Neta was killed at Nahal Oz; and Eyal Eshel, father of IDF surveillance soldier Roni Eshel, who was killed in the command center at the Nahal Oz military base.

Before the rally, organizers requested that additional police units be deployed after receiving what they described as credible reports that Netanyahu supporters were planning disruptive activities. The event ended without major disruptions, although some attendees reported witnessing shouting matches around its periphery.

For Jason P., who made aliyah from Canada with his family several years ago, the rally was an opportunity to express his views ahead of his first Israeli election. He turned 18 a few weeks after the Oct. 7 attacks and will vote for the first time on Tuesday.

Speaking with ALL ISRAEL NEWS at the rally, Jason said Netanyahu should take responsibility for the failures surrounding the attacks and leave office.

“So EVERYONE has accepted responsibility and resigned, except Bibi. Now he’s saying no one woke me up and no one warned me in advance and blah, blah, blah. It’s like, everyone is responsible but him! I know he’s done a lot of good things for this country, but it’s time for him to go. It’s time for a change!”