• Activists have called for anti-government demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on May 24-26.
• In Tel Aviv, the “Kulanu Hatufim” group has organized a protest which will take place at HaKirya’s Begin Gate in Tel Aviv from 20:00 (local time) on May 24. The protesters demand that the Israeli government end the conflict in Gaza, facilitate the return of hostages, and sign the ceasefire-hostage exchange agreement.
• In addition, a protest titled “The State of Israel vs Benjamin Netanyahu” is slated to occur at Tel Aviv’s HaBima Square at 19:00 on May 24.
• In Jerusalem, an activist group called “Shomrim al haBait Hameshutaf” has organized a protest march from Zion Square to Paris Square from 20:30 on May 24. The march will end with a rally at Paris Square.
• Another march has been scheduled in Jerusalem from the Israel Museum to Paris Square from 17:00 on May 26.

These calls to protest come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel’s objectives in Gaza have not been achieved and announced that all areas in Gaza will come under Israeli “security control.” FORECAST: Given the adverse impact such an operation is likely to have on hostages in Gaza, the slated protests will likely witness a turnout in the mid-hundreds to low thousands. A bolstered security presence is expected at the protest locations. The likelihood of unrest persists, including the deployment of riot control measures and clashes between police forces and demonstrators if the latter are deemed to be behaving in an unruly manner. The demonstrators may also attempt to block major thoroughfares such as Ayalon Highway, Menachem Begin Street, and Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv. Pedestrian and traffic disruptions are likely to occur during the evening hours near protest locations. 

Those operating or residing in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on May 24-26 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance and allot for disruptions near protest sites due to the slated demonstrations and associated risk of localized unrest.