Chaos broke out at Israel’s parliament the Knesset amid an ongoing multi-day protest led by hostage victims’ families which is being staged just outside. For the first time, on Wednesday demonstrators overwhelmed the Knesset while it was in session, and smeared glass panels of the guest gallery with yellow paint.
They shouted: “Do not go on summer recess at our expense,” and “There will be no recess until the last captive is returned” — while security fought to get the group under control. Watch below:
מהומה במליאת הכנסתמשפחות חטופים התפרצו ביציע האורחים במליאה עם ידיים צבועות בצהוב, חברי כנסת מהאופוזיציה הצטרפו לקריאותיהם pic.twitter.com/102wszCZpu
— ערוץ כנסת (@KnessetT) April 3, 2024
The whole ordeal did cause a disruption in a plenary session of lawmakers, until police were able to clear the building of all demonstrators. The protests, which have included people camping in tents across from Israel’s parliament and other government buildings, even the prime minister’s private residence, are entering their fifth day.
The families have demanded the Netanyahu government make a deal with Hamas to free the remaining captives. They have also accused Netanyahu and his allies of seeking to prolong the war in order to ensure his own political survival.