The Myth of Israel’s ‘Mass Anti-Government Protests’

Despite the media’s lies, the protests currently filling the streets of Tel Aviv are no big deal, and certainly aren’t unprecedented.

By Daniel Greenfield | | Topics: Benjamin Netanyahu
Israelis rally in Tel Aviv against the new Netanyahu government. But do they represent most Israelis? The results of the recent election suggest they don't.
Israelis rally in Tel Aviv against the new Netanyahu government. But do they represent most Israelis? The results of the recent election suggest they don't. Photo: Tomer Neuberg/Flash90

(JNS) The media and assorted opponents of Israel’s current coalition are hyping the leftist rallies in Tel Aviv against the government’s judicial reform efforts as being unprecedented.

They’re not.

While Israel is a small country, getting 100,000 protesters, on any side, to take to the streets is really not very hard.

Here are just half a dozen examples:

  • In January 2004, some 120,000 people took part in a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s disastrous disengagement from Gaza.
  • In May of that same year, more than 100,000 people had taken to the streets in Tel Aviv to demand that Ariel Sharon follow through on his pledge to turn over the Gaza Strip to Hamas and withdraw Jewish settlers from the territory.
  • Even the haredim, who comprise only about 13% of the overall population, managed to turn out some 250,000 in 2014 to protest against government school regulations.
  • A rally demanding Ehud Olmert’s resignation topped 100,000.
  • Housing price protests topped 100,000.
  • So did opposition to withdrawing from the Golan Heights.

Anti-government rallies of 100,000 or more might be a big deal in some places, but they’re common in Israel.

100,000 protesters in Israel is no big deal.

Anyone telling you the recent demonstrations are an unprecedented public rejection of the government—that, by the way, won the recent elections—is lying to you.

And most of the media’s lies depend on fooling people who don’t know a whole lot about Israel.

You Might Also Like
Load more
Members

Israel Today Membership

Read all member content. Access exclusive, in-depth reports from Israel! Free Zoom events. Connect with Israel right from your home! Raise a voice of truth and hope. Support Faith-based journalism in Jerusalem!

Monthly
Membership

$5
/ month
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Become a Member

Yearly
Membership

$46
/ year
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Save 18% Per Month.
Become a Member

Six Months
Membership

$28
every 6 months
Full access to Israel Today's Member-only content on all Digital Platforms.
Save 9% Per Month.
Become a Member
Israel Today comments guidelines Kommentar-Regeln

2 responses to “The Myth of Israel’s ‘Mass Anti-Government Protests’”

  1. Franciscus says:
    January 22, 2023 at 4:55 pm

    Thank you for helping to put the numbers into perspective.
    We also remember both ;
    1) Change always brings opposition – regardless.
    2) Whenever HaShem is moving things, his enemies panic !

    Please continue to pray that HaShems directs his changes, and those who oppose him, are exposed as such !

  2. David Adeola says:
    January 23, 2023 at 7:58 pm

    May the Lord’s perfect will prevail

Leave a Reply

Israel Today Newsletter

Daily news

FREE to your inbox

Israel Heute Newsletter

Tägliche Nachrichten

KOSTENLOS in Ihrer Inbox

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter