Nationwide Protests Call for New Elections and Reforms in Israel
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Tens of thousands protested the Netanyahu government and called for new elections across Israel, with major demonstrations held in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other cities.
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Protest leaders denounced the governing coalition and key opposition figures for inaction amid the crisis. Former MK Yair Golan called for sustained mass protests to "bring down the government."
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Demonstrators demanded action on drafting ultra-Orthodox Israelis into the military, which has become a pressing issue after the war with Hamas.
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Speakers said the country is at a critical juncture, with one path leading to "an abyss of corruption, degeneracy, crash, and destruction."
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Crowds blocked major roads and intersections. In Tel Aviv, police used water cannons against protesters on the Ayalon Highway. Four people were arrested at the demonstration in Caesarea.