The Movement for Quality Government and other protest organizations will hold a march and rally on Saturday evening at Habima Square in Tel Aviv under the banner, “Always the Darkest Before Dawn.” The event is being organized to defend election integrity, strengthen the Supreme Court, demand equal military service, and call for a state commission of inquiry.
The march is set to leave Rabin Square at 7:00 p.m., with the main rally beginning at 8:00 p.m. at Habima Square. Participating groups include the Movement for Quality Government, the October Council, the Forum for Israel’s Defensive Wall, Paratroopers for Democracy, 555 Patriots, and the protest organizations forum.
According to the organizers, the demonstration is taking place against what they described as a coalition-backed “anti-democratic legislative blitz” pushed in its final moments before the Knesset is dissolved and elections are called. They also said the protest comes amid rising violent demonstrations and legislation aimed at equal conscription.
The organizers said, “A coalition that has lost its majority and legitimacy has no mandate to change the democratic rules of the game,” and urged the public not to be indifferent to the “rapid erosion of the state’s foundations.” Speakers at the rally will include reserve Col. Kobi Richter, former fighter pilot and high-tech entrepreneur who chairs the 555 protest pilots forum, Carmit Palti Katzir, the daughter of Rami Katzir and Hanna Katzir and sister of Alad Katzir, author and screenwriter Benny Barbash, and attorney Guy Carmi, a constitutional law scholar and board member of the Movement for Quality Government.