Netanyahu: 'Israel’s economy is thriving; Smotrich has a hand in it'

Protesters gathered outside the Dutch Embassy in Ramat Gan on Friday, demanding answers regarding a call between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on the day of October 7 attacks, according to N12 News. The Israeli leader first addressed the nation from the Kirya military headquarters at 11 a.m., four and a half hours after Hamas initiated the assault.

Prior to his speech, Netanyahu reportedly scheduled a meeting with Rutte, which was later disclosed in April 2024 by the Hatzlaha foundation after a Freedom of Information Unit request.

The protesters are seeking transparency from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to uncover the details discussed during the call. A statement from Israel's Foreign Ministry on October 7 revealed that Netanyahu spoke with both Rutte and French President Emanuel Macron earlier in the day, stating that both leaders backed Israel's right to self-defense.

The PMO released transcripts from Netanyahu and Rutte's in-person meeting two weeks after the massacre, but the content of their discussion during the early hours of October 7 remains undisclosed. The demonstrators outside the Dutch Embassy in Ramat Gan seem to believe that the contents of this initial conversation between Netanyahu and Rutte might shed light on government missteps during the crisis.