According to
ACLED, as of 19 December 2024, a total of 1,667 protests have taken place in Israel since October 2023. The majority of these demonstrations have called for the release of hostages and the resignation of the government. At least ten of these protests had more than 100,000 participants.
2023 - Early protests On 11 November 2023, thousands of Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv to demand the release of the hostages. On 18 November 2023, Tens of thousands of Israelis, including families of Gaza captives, completed a five-day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, demanding the Israeli government prioritize the hostage deal. Hours after the march, Netanyahu said: "We walk with you, I walk with you. All of Israel walks by your side". On 25 November 2023, approximately 100,000 people gathered at
Hostage Square in Tel Aviv to mark "50 Days of Hell" since the Hamas-led attack on Israel.
January 2024 On 28 January 2024, police arrested several protesters in
Kaplan Interchange in Tel Aviv, while hundreds were dispersed by force.
April 2024 On 2 April 2024, a protest outside Netanyahu's residence turned into clashes with police. Five people were arrested and one officer was injured in the melee. On 6 April 2024, during an anti-government rally in Tel Aviv, a driver deliberately accelerated into a crowd of protesters, injuring five.
June 2024 On 18 June 2024, a protest took place on Gaza Street in Jerusalem near Netanyahu's residence. It soon turned into riots; three people were injured and nine were arrested. On 27 June 2024, the protest organizers announced "civil strike day", blocking
Highway 4 and
Ayalon Highway, as well as other routes in Israel, while lighting fires.
July 2024 On 20 July 2024, thousands of protesters rallied in Tel Aviv, demanding that Netanyahu stay in Israel to continue talks with Hamas in order to reach a hostage deal. Right-wing counter protesters threw stones at them and minor clashes occurred. to
Jerusalem - March 2024 on the Ayalon Highway. On 21 July 2024, protesters blocked
Ben Gurion Airport, ahead of Netanyahu's departure for a meeting in the
United States, and chanted: "No deal, no flight".
August 2024 On 10 August 2024, thousands of Israelis joined weekly anti-government protests demanding a hostage deal. Protesters were threatened with arrest in
Hadera. On 17 August 2024, tens of thousands around Israel joined weekly anti-government protests, calling for a deal to release the hostages and the resignation of the government. In
Ness Ziona, the grandfather of hostage
Naama Levy addressed a demonstration. On 24 August 2024, thousands of Israelis joined weekly anti-government protests, demanding a hostage deal and the resignation of the government. Israeli police arrested three demonstrators in Jerusalem. Some blocked Ayalon highway for a short time, and were confronted by right-wing activists.
September 2024 - National strike On 1 September 2024, the trade union
Histadrut announced
a one-day general strike to be held on the following day in protest of six dead hostages recovered from Gaza. The largest protests since the 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel took place on the same day, with 300,000 protesting in Tel Aviv and 200,000 in additional parts of Israel, according to
Hostages and Missing Families Forum. MK
Naama Lazimi was injured when police threw
stun grenades into
Ayalon highway. A total of 34 protesters were arrested, but courts released 18 of them without further punishment. At least 4 were injured.The Israel Business Forum, which represents around 200 of the country's biggest companies, said workers "would be allowed to join the strike." The
Arab citizens of Israel joined the strike. The planned strike started officially on 2 September at 6 AM and was scheduled to last until evening, but a petition against it was filed at a labour court, which demanded to end the strike earlier than originally planned. At least 13 were arrested for blocking Ayalon highway. On 2 September 2024, tens of thousands of Israelis protested for the second "Day of Rage". In Tel Aviv, protesters marched to the
Metzudat Ze'ev (Likud HQ). In Jerusalem, protesters broke through barriers near Netanyahu's residence and clashes occurred with the police, who forcefully arrested several. Netanyahu's speech about the
Philadelphi Corridor was met with mixed reactions from Israeli politicians and
public opinion. On 3 September 2024, thousands of Israelis protested for the third "Day of Rage". Protesters accused Netanyahu of "thwarting" a deal to retain control of Philadelphi Corridor. 1,000 people gathered in the city of
Rehovot in a show of support for the family of abducted soldier
Nimrod Cohen. In Jerusalem, protesters lined the streets around
Paris Square. Demonstrators gathered in front of the homes of the Ministers Israel Katz,
Shlomo Karhi,
Yoav Kish,
Ron Dermer, and some others across the country. The main protest took place outside the Begin Gate of the Kirya Base in Tel Aviv. Clashes occurred with the police. Protesters also blocked
Highway 4. Organizers estimate some 400,000 at a Tel Aviv rally. Thousands also demonstrated in Beersheba, Haifa, and Jerusalem. Dozens demonstrated outside the District Court of Tel Aviv after a protester was arrested and imprisoned at
Neve Tirtza. Hundreds demonstrated at
Kibbutz HaOgen, on Highway 4, and on
Pardes Hanna-Karkur. Protesters blocked Ayalon Highway for a short period of time. Five protesters were arrested in Tel Aviv, and three were injured. On 14 September 2024, 100,000 Israelis Haifa, Jerusalem, and Caesarea, next to Prime Minister Netanyahu's private residence. In Tel Aviv, thousands gathered outside the IDF headquarters, demanding a hostage deal. During the protests, the family of hostage
Matan Angrest released a recording of him from captivity. Protesters later gathered near the Halacha Bridge and burned tires. and one was arrested in Jerusalem. Israeli politician and a former member of the
Knesset for the
Labor Party,
Ami Ayalon, said: "
Non-violent civil disobedience is the order of the day, it's our duty". Haifa, Jerusalem, Rehovot and HaOgen junction. Protesters also gathered outside the home of Israeli president
Isaac Herzog. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum announced that "only an unprecedented, widespread and powerful public struggle will bring them back". On 2 September, Netanyahu issued a rare apology directed at the families of the six deceased hostages, but continued that he would not stop the use of military force in the
Philadelphi Corridor. He also claimed to be working continuously in an effort to bring the remaining hostages back to Israel, but that if Israel caved now it would send a message that Hamas would just need to kill remaining hostages for leverage. On 2 September, while speaking with reporters US President
Joe Biden blamed both Netanyahu and Hamas for the absence of a hostage deal before a meeting with members of his negotiating team. Thousands more formed
human chains in over 70 locations. At the same time, a demonstration calling for the release of hostages was held in front of the Begin Gate at the Kirya in Tel Aviv. On 22 October 2024, protests erupted in Tel Aviv during
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Israel. Protesters gathered beneath the hotel where Blinken was staying and held signs against Netanyahu and for a hostage deal.
November 2024 On 5 November 2024, Netanyahu fired
defense minister Yoav Gallant. Following his dismissal, the
Israeli opposition called for people to protest across
Israel. Protesters blocked the main road in
Tel Aviv and also set fires around the area. Protesters also gathered in
Jerusalem and clashed in front of Netanyahu's residence. The protesters chanted the
2023 Israeli judicial reform protests' motto "Democracy or Revolution".
December 2024 Throughout December 2024, families held demonstrations against Netanyahu during the
trial against him for corruption. On 27 December 2024, protest movements called for civil disobedience across Israel, urging sit-ins, work strikes, and school boycotts. On 28 December 2024, tens of thousands of Israelis protested in 52 different locations across the country, urging the government to stop the war and agree to the hostage deal.
January 2025 On 1 January 2025, relatives of the Gaza hostages blocked Ayalon Highway, lighting torches and a large
Hanukkah menorah, calling for a hostage deal and a ceasefire.
February 2025 On 11 February 2025, protesters block Tel Aviv highway to mark the 24th birthday of hostage
Alon Ohel. On 15 February 2025, about a thousand people gathered in front of the Begin Road entrance to the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv.
March 2025 On 8 March 2025, hostage deal activists set up protest camp outside IDF headquarters, as part of what some hostages' families call "Operation Kirya Cordon" (מבצע עוטף קריה). The publication of the
Qatari connection affair (also known as 'Qatargate') at the same month, led to intense anti-Netanyahu protests in Jerusalem. These were partly related to the judicial reform protests but were primarily led by the families of hostages.
April 2025 On 5 April 2025, thousands took to the streets with the banner "Deal Now!", with smaller demonstrations taking place in other parts of the country. The protesters demanded ceasefire and hostage deal. On 20 April 2025, several thousands rallied in Tel Aviv and demanded a deal "even at the cost of a long ceasefire" while the holiday of
Passover took place. On 27 April 2025, thousands took to the streets in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa and other cities across the country. Ex-Shin Bet chief,
Ami Ayalon, called for "nonviolent revolt".
May 2025 On 28 May 2025, thousands of protesters gathered throughout the country to mark 600 days of war and
hostage crisis, including the country's major cities and across university campuses. There were rallies where released hostages recounted their stories while in captivity and families of remaining hostages called for their release.That evening, another significant protest unfolded at
Metzudat Ze'ev, the Likud party headquarters in Tel Aviv. Dozens of demonstrators breached the building, reaching the 11th floor where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office is located, and chained themselves to staircase railings. They demanded a ceasefire and a stop to the war, along with a call for an hostage deal.
August 2025 - Second strike Throughout the start of August 2025, tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in multiple locations across the country. 13 people arrested at Tel Aviv, and a
water cannon was deployed. On 6 August 2025, hundreds of hostage families joined the protests, calling to halt IDF's Gaza expansion plans. On 17th August 2025, hostage families announced a strike amid ongoing frustration over the war in Gaza,
Proposed Israeli resettlement of the Gaza Strip and reports of widespread famine. Hundreds of thousands demonstrated across the country, calling on Netanyahu to pursue a comprehensive hostage deal and end the Gaza war. At least 38 protesters were arrested. Netanyahu claimed that the protests were "hardening Hamas's position and delaying the release of our hostages". On 26th August 2025, tens of thousands of Israelis went on a "day of disruption", calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a comprehensive hostage deal. Some major routes were blocked with torched tires and demonstrations occurred in over 140 locations, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem and near Ben Gurion Airport.
Gadi Eisenkot, former observer of the
Israeli war cabinet, participated in the protest. == Hunger strike ==