Large anti-Netanyahu rallies held as Israel heads to polls

Israelis opposed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu staged significant street protests three days before the nation's general election, underscoring the deep political polarization characterizing the campaign.

The rallies brought together citizens expressing discontent with Netanyahu's leadership on multiple fronts, including his handling of key policy issues and the ongoing judicial reform controversy that has divided Israeli society.

The demonstrations come as campaigning intensifies across the country, with political parties making final appeals to voters ahead of polling day. Surveys suggest a closely contested election that could reshape Israel's political landscape.

Netanyahu's government has faced sustained criticism from opposition figures and civil society groups throughout his tenure, with recent months marked by heightened tensions over proposed judicial reforms and their implications for Israel's democratic institutions.

The street protests reflect the mobilization of anti-Netanyahu constituencies seeking to influence the electoral outcome, as both government supporters and critics attempt to galvanize their bases in the final campaign stretch.