Rabin Square and the surrounding boulevards turned into a sea of flags and placards reading “Enough War, Enough Bibi” and “Security, Not Survival Mode.” Families of reservists, business owners battered by repeated shutdowns, and former security chiefs marched side by side, accusing Netanyahu of dragging Israel into an unwinnable three‑front conflict with Iran, Hezbollah and Gaza while ignoring domestic chaos.

The mood shifted from defiant to explosive when police tried to block a column of protesters from reaching the Ayalon highway. Mounted officers, stun grenades and water cannons were deployed as demonstrators lit flares and chanted “Go home!” and “Elections now!” Live footage showed scuffles, burning dumpsters and rows of riot police pushed back toward side streets off Ibn Gabirol.