Hadash leader Ayman Odeh: IDF actions in Gaza are crimes against humanity

Abed Rahim Khatib/Flash90

Protests calling for a Gaza cease-fire, against the far-right government and for hostage release deal took place across Israel on Saturday, August 2, after Hamas released a series of videos showing emaciated Israeli hostages earlier this week. 

The main protest in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square began with a screening of a video showing Israeli hostage Evyatar David. According to the Hostage and Missing Families Forum, 60,000 demonstrators participated in the rally. 

Israel - Palestine: 35 Jewish and Arab Rights Groups Call for Ceasefire, Hostage Deal

35 Israeli Jewish and Arab peace and human rights groups called on the far-right government to work towards a ceasefire in Gaza, to bring to the release of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas, and work towards a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict.

An open letter signed by the groups also called on Israel to curb the rampant settler violence in the occupied West Bank and stop the persecution of Palestinian citizens of Israel and of those who express solidarity with the residents of Gaza and oppose the war.