Parts of the massive crowd at a rally for the hostages in Tel Aviv on Saturday night broke into a chorus of boos at the mention of Benjamin Netanyahu’s name, repeatedly interrupting US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff’s praise of the prime minister.
Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Kushner’s wife Ivanka Trump all spoke at what organizers said they hoped would be the final such rally, with all hostages said to be freed by Monday. The event came three days after Witkoff and Kushner acted as key brokers of the US-backed hostage-ceasefire deal.
Witkoff and Kushner drew 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, marveling at the size of the crowd, which he estimated at more than 100,000. (Organizers claimed half a million.)
But the reaction of the crowd changed when Witkoff started to praise the premier’s role in negotiations.
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“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 an embarrassed chuckle.
“OK, let me just finish my thought,” Witkoff said as the boos continued, and resumed earnestly: “I was in the trenches with the prime minister. Believe me, he was a very important part here.”
קריאות בוז בכיכר החטופים כשסטיב וויטקוף הזכיר את רה״מ נתניהו. pic.twitter.com/06FYqg4ta4
— מה חדש. What’s new❓ (@Gloz111) October 11, 2025
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. “They’ve given everything, their time, their energy, and their hearts, to building a safer, stronger future for the Jewish people. Their commitment to this country has never wavered.”
Later in his address, when he mentioned Trump’s name, there were overwhelming cheers. 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.
Crowds in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square carry a banner, “Nobel President Trump,” on October 11, 2025. (Amir Goldstein / Hostages Families Forum.)
The rallies, which have taken place weekly for much of the two years since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack in which the hostages 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.
Several of the hostages’ families expressed dismay that Netanyahu’s name was booed, telling Channel 12 this was inappropriate.
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.”
Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Robn Dermer in Jerusalem on October 9, 2025. (Maayan Toaf/GPO)
Likud also issued a statement in support of Netanyahu, calling the jeering protesters “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 party’s statement read.
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