Hundreds of protesters walked up the highway towards Jerusalem Wednesday morning to join the crowds gathered near the Knesset.
The protest was originally planned after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he intended to advance the firing of Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) Chief Ronen Bar, a move seen by many as a direct threat to Israeli democracy, in part because the Shin Bet is leading the "Quatargate" investigation of Netanyahu's office.
Calls for protest only intensified as Israel returned to attacking Gaza early Tuesday, with protesters calling to prioritize bringing the hostages home and charging the government with returning to war as part of political calculations to maintain its power rather than for the good of the country.
Protesters held signs that read, "Governance without limitations is a danger to Israel," "There is no victory without Lieutenant Hadar Goldin (whose body is held hostage by Hamas)," and "Democracy is in danger."
Yellow flags for the hostages mingled with Israeli flags, and many held posters with the faces of the hostages on them.
Tel Aviv protests
Masses also gathered in Habima square Tuesday night, with organizers saying tens of thousands were there, to hear former heads of Israel's security bodies, including former Shin Bet head Yoram Cohen, former Israel Police chief Roni Alsheikh, and mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, Einav.
The crowd then marched to the IDF's military headquarters to join a protest calling to bring the hostages home now.
Numerous protests are planned throughout Wednesday, with some protest organizations calling on participants to stay in Jerusalem for multiple days. WhatsApp groups were opened in which protesters could connect with people who live in Jerusalem and are willing to host them.