Tens of thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday, waving flags and chanting slogans against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, demanding new elections and the return of captives held in Gaza. The protests, which have been occurring on a weekly basis, highlight growing dissatisfaction with Netanyahu's handling of the ongoing war in Gaza, which was sparked by Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7.

The main thoroughfare of Tel Aviv was filled with protesters holding signs reading "Crime Minister" and "Stop the War," reflecting their frustration with the government's approach to the conflict. One protester, 66-year-old contractor Shai Erel, expressed his fear for the future of his grandchild, emphasizing the urgent need to "get rid of the horrible government."

According to the antigovernment protest organization Hofshi Israel, more than 150,000 people attended the rally, making it the largest demonstration since the war in Gaza began. In a powerful symbolic act, some demonstrators lay on the ground covered in red paint at Democracy Square to symbolize what they see as the death of Israel's democracy under Netanyahu's leadership.

Former head of Israel's domestic security agency, Shin Bet, Yuval Diskin, condemned Netanyahu as the country's "worst prime minister" in an address to the crowd. Many protesters voiced frustration with the country's right-wing coalition, which includes Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and other far-right ultranationalists, accusing them of prolonging the war in Gaza and endangering the country's security and captives.

Yoram, a 50-year-old tour guide who declined to give his last name, stated his commitment to attending the weekly protests, asserting that Israel needs elections "yesterday" because of Netanyahu's governance. The demand for change was further emphasized in a separate rally in Tel Aviv, which drew thousands of relatives and supporters of the captives held in Gaza.

The massive protests in Tel Aviv reflect a deep-seated dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and its handling of the war in Gaza. As the public continues to demand new elections and the release of captives, the pressure on the government to address these concerns will only continue to grow.