'I want my country back', Israeli protesters return to streets to demand hostages, democracy

Record ID: 1984571

  • Title: 'I want my country back', Israeli protesters return to streets to demand hostages, democracy
  • Date: 20th March 2025
  • Summary: JERUSALEM (MARCH 20, 2025) (REUTERS) PROTESTER WAKING UP FELLOW PROTESTERS SLEEPING IN TENTS PROTESTER CALLING PEOPLE ON LOUDSPEAKER PROTESTER GETTING OUT OF TENT (SOUNDBITE) (English) ROEI SASSOON, 23, STUDENT FROM RAMAT-GAN, SAYING: "For first, the night was very cold, but we will stick here, we will not give up. This is, like the most important thing for us, the democra
  • Embargoed:
  • Keywords: Gaza Israel Palestinians hostages offensive war
  • Location: JERUSALEM
  • City: JERUSALEM
  • Country: Israel
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Middle East
  • Reuters ID: LVA001028920032025RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Israeli protesters woke up on Thursday (March 20) to a day of protests against the government in Jerusalem, citing fears for Israel's democracy and the remaining hostages in Gaza after Israel resumed attacks on the Palestinian strip.
    Some protesters stayed the night in tents in a public park in Jerusalem and continued for another day of protests, following a mass anti-government protest on Wednesday (March 19).
    Protesters are calling for the return of hostages under a deal, and warning against steps taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that they say could weaken Israel's democracy.
    Netanyahu's decision to sack the head of Israel's domestic intelligence agency sparked outrage in Israel and critics say the six-time prime minister represents a danger to Israel's democracy.
    The protests come as the Israeli military's assault on Gaza , which started on Tuesday (March 20) has effectively ended a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas that had held since January.
    Gaza's health ministry said at least 510 Palestinians have been killed in the past three days in Gaza.
    Hamas said that talks with mediators were ongoing on Thursday to halt the Israeli offensive on Gaza.
    (Production: Dedi Hayun, Avivit Delgoshen)
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2025. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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