Last night, thousands of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv’s Habima Square, as reported by Haaretz, to call for the inclusion of Arab parties in a future government, as similar demonstrations took place in several other major cities across the country. Protesters in Tel Aviv chanted slogans such as “Through partnership and equality, we will replace the government” and “The people have your back—form a government now.” They later marched toward Rabin Square.

At the Tel Aviv rally, a few dozen Netanyahu supporters held a counterprotest and chanted “Bib, King of Israel,” “Occupation, expulsion and settlement” and “The people demand new elections.” Police had designated a separate area for the counter-demonstration, but at least one of them was detained on suspicion of disturbing public order by trying to get others to leave their area and go into the main rally.

There were also simultaneous demonstrations in Jerusalem’s Paris Square, where hundreds gathered, along with smaller protests outside the Haifa auditorium, at Be’er Sheva’s Performing Arts Center and at the so-called triangle area, between the Arab cities of Tira and Taibeh.

Separately, the civic movement Zazim has gathered nearly 50,000 Israelis behind their call for cooperating with Arab parties in forming the next government. As quoted by Haaretz, Zazim CEO Raluca Ganea explained: “Public support for Jewish-Arab political cooperation is much greater than the political debate suggests. Likud itself previously held coalition negotiations with the United Arab List, an Arab party. Polls show that most opposition supporters favor cooperation with Arab parties, while most Arab voters want their representatives to participate in government… Arab parties must be treated as legitimate political partners. This election has shown that the future of Israeli democracy will be decided by the question of Jewish-Arab political partnership.”