Protest at Habima Square: Demand for a State Commission of Inquiry
Every Saturday night, protest organizations hold a demonstration in Tel Aviv demanding the establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7 and for equality in the burden of service. Among the speakers: the parents of Itay Chen, Prof. Uzi Arad, and retired Major General David Tzur. The organizers: "Stand on guard."
Protest organizations are holding a demonstration this evening, Saturday, at Habima Square in Tel Aviv, centered on the demand for the establishment of a state commission of inquiry to examine the events of October 7, alongside a call for equality in the burden of service.
The organizers stated that the demonstration is taking place against the backdrop of recent developments in the public and legal arena, and as part of the ongoing struggle regarding issues of governance, public accountability, and the preservation of democratic values.
According to the organizers, the demonstration takes place a few days after the Supreme Court issued an interim order as part of a petition filed by the Hiddush organization, which at this stage delayed the transfer of hundreds of millions of shekels in coalition funds.
The organizers further claimed that at a time when the term of the government and the Knesset is nearing its end, increased public vigilance and adherence to the rules of the democratic game are required.
In their announcement, the Movement for Quality Government and the protest organizations called on the public to "stand on guard" and to be prepared for any attempt to harm the integrity of the elections, to make illegal use of public resources, or to sabotage the rules of the democratic game.
Among the speakers at the demonstration will be Ruby and Hagit Chen, the parents of Staff Sergeant Itay Chen, who fell in battle on October 7 and was kidnapped, and whose body was returned to Israel after 760 days.
Also speaking will be Prof. Uzi Arad, former head of the National Security Council and National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister; retired Major General David Tzur, former Tel Aviv District Commander, Border Police Commander, and YAMAM Commander; as well as Adv. Yael Bloch, Director of the Litigation Department at the Movement for Quality Government.
Ruby and Hagit Chen said during the protest at the square:
"Whoever was responsible during the failure cannot choose who will investigate him. Therefore, we demand a state commission of inquiry. Independent, professional, and with full authority."
"We still have to gather in the squares and demand what should have been taken for granted in a normal country: truth and responsibility," they added. "We call from here to every party and everyone who seeks the public's trust in the upcoming elections: say now, in a clear voice: do you commit to establishing a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7 - yes or no? Without evasive phrasing or vague promises. To those who are not willing to commit to investigating the truth, we call on you not to give them your vote."
