Protesters in Israel Voice Concerns Over Children's Lives Lost in Gaza Conflict
HAPPENINGS IN TEL AVIV:
revolts against the war in Gaza have been a common occurrence in Israel. Weekends usually witness protests calling for a ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages, taken by Hamas during the October 7 attacks in 2023.However, a new wave of protesters has made their presence felt, aiming to draw attention towards the innocent lives lost in Gaza - the children.
(BEAT OF DRUMS ECHOES)
UNIDENTIFIED CROWD: (Chanting in a foreign language)
NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv.
Every Saturday night, a sea of protesters parade down a bustling street, drumming and chanting. But last weekend, they paused as they passed another group of protesters, who've added a new angle to the Israeli discourse regarding the Gaza war. They're displaying photographs of smiling children, those who've lost their lives at the hands of the Israeli military in Gaza.
Orit Ben David, holding a photograph of a boy named Tahrir, who was killed in March, shares her thoughts.
ORIT BEN DAVID: Most Israelis don't know the number of children killed in Gaza. I believe it's disgraceful.
The latest count by Gaza health officials stands at over 16,000 children being killed. The total death toll reported exceeds 52,000. Their faces are seldom seen in Israel. The media in Israel usually features images of the war - Israeli hostages, soldiers, and Israelis who have lost their lives.
Miri Hiller, an Israeli marching in support of the hostages, cannot help but feel a profound sense of sympathy.
MIRI HILLER: (With tears) When I see the photographs of children in Gaza, I can't ignore them. It's heart-wrenching to see their faces, knowing we don't want to harm the children of Gaza.
Her husband, Guy Hiller, discusses Israel's current military operations, over a year and a half since the Hamas attack.
GUY HILLER: Israel is now defending itself, exacting revenge. It's a retaliation.
M HILLER: This war needs to end.
G HILLER: It's a retaliation against...
M HILLER: It's a retaliation now.
When Israel violated the ceasefire in March, it launched airstrikes in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 170 children, according to Gaza's civil defense group. This tragic incident prompted the new protest movement.
Neora Shem, one of the organizers, explains the unexpected growth of their peaceful demonstrations.
NEORA SHEM: I printed some black and white photos at home and stood here with about 20 people.
As their numbers swelled, the family of a hostage in Gaza voiced disapproval. Israeli police issued a ban on protesters displaying photographs of children from Gaza. However, after an uproar, the ban was lifted. The new protest group currently attracts several hundred people who hold photographs of children killed in Gaza.
Daniel Estrin, NPR News, Tel Aviv. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dismal, with reports suggestive of over 52,535 deaths and 118,491 injuries as of May 2025, with a significant proportion consisting of women and children. Amnesty International has described Israel's siege as a form of genocide, citing the use of starvation as a method of warfare and the denial of life-saving essentials. Internationally, organizations like Amnesty International and UN experts have strongly condemned Israel's actions in Gaza, referring to them as genocidal and calling for immediate intervention to stop the violence.
- NPR's Daniel Estrin reports from Tel Aviv about a new wave of protesters who have emerged, aiming to draw attention towards the innocents lost in Gaza, specifically the children.
- Orit Ben David, holding a photograph of a child named Tahrir, killed in March, shares her thoughts, stating that most Israelis are unaware of the number of children killed in Gaza, which she finds disgraceful.
- Miri Hiller, an Israeli marching in support of the hostages, cannot help but feel sympathy when she sees the photographs of children in Gaza, believing it's heart-wrenching to see their faces, knowing they don't want to harm the children of Gaza.
- Neora Shem, one of the organizers of the new protest movement, explains the unexpected growth of their peaceful demonstrations, starting with just a few people displaying black-and-white photos of children killed in Gaza and now attracting several hundred people.
