On Sunday, the Hostage Families' Forum announced a series of demonstrations across Israel, following the return of six hostages' bodies from Hamas captivity in Gaza. The protests are expected to cause significant disruptions, including road closures and the shutdown of cultural and entertainment venues joining in solidarity.
The main demonstrations are scheduled for this evening in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Protesters will gather at 4:00 p.m. in front of the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem and at 7:00 p.m. at the Begin Gate of the Kirya military base in Tel Aviv.
Protests took place as early as 11:00 a.m. At 2:00 p.m., kibbutz members embarked on a tractor convoy towards Tel Aviv, joining either the main protest or other demonstration sites around the country.
Since 4:00 p.m., demonstrations are held in front of the Prime Minister's Office at Kaplan Street in Jerusalem. Further protests are scheduled throughout the evening across the country. The police have issued a list of expected road closures in Tel Aviv due to the protests starting from 6:00 p.m.
In a significant move, the Hostage Families' Forum has called on businesses, shops, malls, and theaters to close between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Sunday. Many cultural institutions have heeded this call, announcing temporary closures. The Cameri Theater and Tzavta Hall in Tel Aviv will not operate this evening, while the Lev Cinema chain will close its branches nationwide from 5:00 p.m. The Haifa Municipality has also announced the cancellation of municipal cultural activities planned for this evening and tomorrow.
The culinary world is also joining the protest, with several high-profile establishments announcing closures. The Sarona Market complex in Tel Aviv has supported its tenants in closing for the evening. Renowned chefs Eyal Shani and Haim Cohen have announced the closure of their restaurants, including "Jaffa-Tel Aviv" and "Dixie." The R2M Group, led by restaurateur Ruti Broudo, is also participating in the strike, closing all branches of Delicatessen and Bakery, Hotel Montefiore Restaurant, R48 Restaurant, and Herzl 16.
The Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, led by Modi'in Mayor Haim Bibas, has announced that many municipalities will suspend their services for at least one hour. Several mayors, including those of Givatayim, Kfar Saba, Raanana, and Tel Aviv, have announced planned shutdowns to allow employees to participate in the protests.
In a related development, Reichman University has announced it will close its doors on Monday, September 2, 2024, suspending all classes and work activities for 24 hours in protest of government policy.
