Israel bans large gatherings in bitter split over Oct 7 anniversary

[Pelican Press 0]

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******* bans large gatherings in bitter split over Oct 7 anniversary

******* has banned large gatherings as thousands of people are expected to turn out across the country to

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massacre.

The IDF Home Command Front has limited gatherings in ******* to 2,000 people, citing the ongoing

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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

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.

******* has in recent months been

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seeking to pressure the government to negotiate a ceasefire deal with ****** 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 ******** Square for a commemoration event to mark the day on which 1,100 mostly civilians were murdered by ****** and 251 taken ********.

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.

******** Roni Tsuk, an ******** 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.

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Protesters show support for hostages in Tel Aviv by blocking roads – REUTERS

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.

******** 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 *******, 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 ******* and we are sadly all too used to this.”

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A memorial to victims of events on Oct 7 2023 in southern ******* – MENAHEM KAHANA/GETTY

The ******** families

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in captivity through a deal which has faltered since November as ******* and ****** remain intransigent. On Saturday, Basem Naim, a ****** 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

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and ******** 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 ****** invaded ******* by air, land and sea one year ago. It will commence with a siren for two minutes of silence.

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#******* #bans #large #gatherings #bitter #split #Oct #anniversary

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