Demonstrators in Tel Aviv call for the ouster of Netanyahu's government and demand elections

(Patria) - Thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv on Saturday to protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, accusing him of mishandling the nation's security and calling for new elections, Reuters reported.

Anti-government protests that rocked the nation for much of 2023 ceased after Hamas's October 7 attack on southern Israel. Political rifts were put aside as Israelis rallied behind the military and the families of those killed or taken hostage. But with the war in Gaza now in its fourth month and polls showing declining support for Netanyahu, calls for leadership change are growing, though there is no indication his position is under any immediate threat.

That was reflected in Saturday night's turnout in Tel Aviv's central square, where many of last year's protests were held. Although the attendance was much smaller than seen last year, it still consisted of several thousand people.

"The government that abandoned us on October 7 continues to abandon us every day since - the evacuees from the northern and southern (borders), the victims' families, the reservists, the hostages," said Noam Alon, whose brother is a soldier killed trying to clear an Israeli town of Hamas attackers.

Although divisions have emerged among the members of his war cabinet, Netanyahu intends to remain in power.

Opposition leaders have offered to form a unity government not led by Netanyahu, but no move has gained traction.