Symbolic imageIsrael's opposition rallies for October 7 inquiry as Netanyahu's crypto plan is rebuked
Before Tuesday's election, a huge Tel Aviv rally demanded an October 7 inquiry. The Bank of Israel rejected Netanyahu's crypto idea against sanctions.
On Saturday, 24 October, more than 100,000 people filled Tel Aviv's Hostage Square to demand a state commission of inquiry into the failures of 7 October 2023, according to the Jerusalem Post. The October Council, an association of victims' and survivors' families, organized it, and opposition leaders Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett and Avigdor Liberman attended. Police arrested a 23-year-old, allegedly drunk, who shouted "Only Bibi" and shoved one of Bennett's bodyguards.
Crypto plan rejected
Netanyahu said in a Channel 10 interview that Israel must prepare an "alternative economy" against sanctions, with blockchain "certainly" part of it. The Bank of Israel said digital currencies "cannot be used as a way to circumvent sanctions"; Netanyahu sarcastically thanked it "for the advice", per KAN. Eisenkot called the idea "Bibicoin", and Bennett warned it would destroy Israeli high-tech.
Tight race, open coalition
A Maariv poll on Friday gave the opposition 54 seats and Netanyahu's bloc 48, though that lead hinges on a small party clearing the threshold. Eisenkot floats a minority government at 58 or 59 seats; Bennett and Liberman oppose relying on Arab parties.
Other opinions
Le Monde notes that Eisenkot's platform marks no drastic break on the Palestinian conflict, since he also opposes a Palestinian state.