A massive crowd in Tel Aviv broke into a chorus of boos at the mention of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s name, repeatedly interrupting US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff’s praise of the prime minister at a rally for the hostages held in Gaza on Saturday night.
Witkoff spoke at the weekly rally in Hostages Square alongside US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and Kushner’s wife, Ivanka Trump. The speeches came days after Witkoff and Kushner acted as key brokers of a US-backed ceasefire deal that is due to lead to the release of the remaining hostages in the coming days.
Witkoff and Kushner drew raucous cheers from the attendees. As he prepared to speak, an adoring crowd waving Israeli and American flags chanted: “Thank you, Witkoff.”
“I dreamed of this night for a long time. This is the most powerful sight,” he began, marvelling at the size of the crowd, which was estimated at more than 100,000.
But the reaction of the crowd changed when Witkoff started to praise the premier’s role in negotiations.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu,” he started, before being interrupted by a wave of boos. The crowd then began to chant Trump’s name. Witkoff responded by saying, “OK,” and letting out a small chuckle.
“OK, let me just finish my thought,” Witkoff said as the boos continued. “I was in the trenches with the prime minister. Believe me, he was a very important part here.”
He then praised Netanyahu at greater length.
“The prime minister and his staff, Ron Dermer, have both sacrificed so much for this country and devoted their lives to the service of Israel. Their dedication to the history and destiny of this nation stands out tonight,” he said.
Afterward, he mentioned Trump’s name, drawing an overwhelming cheer. The rallies for the release of the 48 remaining hostages — 20 of whom are alive — have often appealed directly to Trump for help, including with huge banners held above the crowd.
The rallies, which have taken place weekly for much of the two years since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack in which the captives were abducted, also often see harsh criticism of Netanyahu. Speakers have blamed him for allowing the attack to occur, for a perceived lack of commitment to freeing the hostages, and for other policies.
But on Saturday night, Blue and White-National Unity chair Benny Gantz criticized the timing of the jeers at the rally, calling it a “mistake” to boo the prime minister during a US official’s speech.
“I have tremendous appreciation for the broad public that comes, week after week, to Hostages Square and to rallies across the country. And I am also part of it. But even when there are differences of opinion, to boo the prime minister of Israel, in front of the American administration envoy and in the presence of the hostages’ families – that is a mistake,” he wrote on X. “Not today, and not in front of those people.”
“I am certain that these shouts do not represent the majority of the people of Israel, nor the majority of those present in the square,” he continued.
Ministers in Netanyahu’s Likud party also condemned the booing crowd, with Education Minister Yoav Kisch calling the protesters the “extremist fringes” of Israeli society.
“These extremist fringes do not represent the majority of the people of Israel, who support the agreement and are grateful to those who brought it about — Netanyahu and [Strategic Affairs Minister Ron] Dermer,” he wrote.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin called the boos “a great disgrace” and “a shameful display of ingratitude toward Prime Minister Netanyahu, who led the State of Israel through one of its most difficult times and achieved the tremendous accomplishments… that include the return of the hostages.”
Culture and Sport Minister Miki Zohar posted on X that the “burning hatred that broke out today with the harsh boos in Hostages Square again proves Prime Minister Netanyahu’s resilience as he withstood all pressures.”
Likud itself also put out a statement in support of Netanyahu, saying that the jeering protesters are “booing the truth.”
“It doesn’t matter how much you shout, you are booing the truth. Steve Witkoff and everyone who was there knows that without the determination, creativity, strategy, and courage of Prime Minister Netanyahu, the hostages would not be returning home,” the statement read.