Israel bans large gatherings in bitter split over Oct 7 anniversary

Anti-government campaigners, who had planned a 40,000-strong march for Monday, say the ban is a ploy to quash dissent

Israel has banned large gatherings as thousands of people are expected to turn out across the country to commemorate the Oct 7 massacre.
The IDF Home Command Front has limited gatherings in Israel to 2,000 people, citing the ongoing threat of rockets from Hezbollah as the reason.
However, anti-government campaigners, who had organised a 40,000-strong march on Monday, the first anniversary of Oct 7, claim the ban is a political ploy by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government to quash dissent.
Israel has in recent months been rocked by protests seeking to pressure the government to negotiate a ceasefire deal with Hamas in return for the release of the 101 hostages still held in Gaza. The demonstrations have had little effect on the government’s prosecution of the war, which is ongoing.
Thousands of Israelis are expected to assemble on Sunday at Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square for a commemoration event to mark the day on which 1,100 mostly civilians were murdered by Hamas and 251 taken hostage.
Around the country, dozens more memorials are due to take place, in spite of a cap of 2,000 per event.
The Telegraph understands that many Israelis are planning to openly flout the army’s ban on mass gatherings in a show of solidarity with the families of the hostages.
Israeli Roni Tsuk, an Israeli war veteran who served in the Yom Kippur war, said the restrictions will not stop him from attending. “We will not be silenced on this important day when it’s so critical for us to come together as a family,” he told The Telegraph.
Another event, which organisers claim 40,000 people have purchased tickets for, is set to be held at Tel Aviv’s Yarkon Park at 7 pm on Monday.
Israeli Lior Gat said she and her family, who have all lost loved ones in the war, and on Oct 7, will be going out to show solidarity in spite of the bans on gatherings. “This is the one time we have to show the world and each other that we are united, beyond political division,” she said.
“What happened on Oct 7 touched all our lives and continues to, and I will not let our government stop us from being together at this tragic time, even if there are security risks. This is our life in Israel and we are sadly all too used to this.”
The hostage families are calling for the return of their relatives in captivity through a deal which has faltered since November as Israel and Hamas remain intransigent. On Saturday, Basem Naim, a Hamas spokesman, told The Telegraph there will be “no negotiations” for a ceasefire.
Protests in Tel Aviv in recent months have been full of signs blaming Mr Netanyahu for the ongoing war and hostage situation, with many featuring images of the prime minister with blood on his hands and placards saying “guilty”.
Gatherings will also be taking place from 6.29am on Oct 7, including outside the prime minister’s residence in Jerusalem. The hour marks the time Hamas invaded Israel by air, land and sea one year ago. It will commence with a siren for two minutes of silence.