Former Police Chief Slams Settler Violence, Calls for National Reckoning
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Hundreds protested in Tel Aviv, demanding accountability for the October 7th failures and protection of democracy. Former Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi condemned settler violence and government inaction, while former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon called the upcoming election a fight for the nation's identity. Another protest advocated for Arab-Jewish partnership, with Professor David Harel emphasizing its necessity for Israel's future. The demonstrations highlighted calls for a state commission of inquiry and electoral integrity.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi denounced settler violence as a national cancer at a Tel Aviv protest.
- Hundreds protested in Tel Aviv demanding accountability for October 7th failures and protection of democracy.
- Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon called the upcoming election a critical struggle for Israel's identity.
- Protesters called for a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7th.
- A separate protest advocated for Arab-Jewish partnership and equal voting rights.
- The demonstrations occurred amid a libel suit filed by former Shin Bet chief against the Prime Minister.
Hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv's Habima Square on Saturday evening for a protest organized by various movements, including the Movement for Quality of Government, October Council, and Paratroopers for Democracy. The demonstration called for a full investigation into the failures of October 7th and the protection of the democratic process ahead of elections. The protest also comes amid a libel suit filed by former Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Former Police Commissioner Moshe Karadi, speaking on behalf of approximately 400 retired senior police officers, addressed the crowd, emphasizing the need for a state commission of inquiry to examine responsibility at all levels without exception. Karadi highlighted five key issues requiring correction: a state inquiry commission, the fight against corruption, election integrity, equal burden-sharing, and Jewish terrorism in the West Bank. He particularly condemned settler violence, describing it as spreading "like cancer in the body of the nation" and warning that commanders in the West Bank would be marked by these events and crimes.
Karadi also criticized the government, stating that some ministers not only support but also fund such activities, while others refrain from condemning them for fear of losing votes. He asserted that a nation unable to honestly investigate itself cannot correct itself.
Concurrently, former Defense Minister and IDF Chief of Staff Moshe (Bogie) Ya'alon addressed a separate protest in the Science Park, framing the upcoming elections as a struggle for the nation's identity, contrasting truth and integrity with lies and corruption, and rational citizens with messianists. Ya'alon warned that the current government's path leads to destruction and called for a return to Zionism, democracy, and liberalism. He urged attendees to encourage high voter turnout, stating it would decide the election, and criticized the government for not wanting to end the war to avoid accountability for its failures.
Earlier, activists held a protest on the Ha'Achla Bridge over Ayalon Highway, advocating for equal recognition of Arab and Jewish votes and emphasizing the necessity of Jewish-Arab partnership for the country's future. Israel Prize laureate Professor David Harel spoke at this event, stressing that full participation of Arab citizens in the country's leadership is crucial for its salvation, future, and well-being.
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