Israeli Protesters Display Drawing of Trump and Netanyahu on Tel Aviv Beach as Leaders Meet in White House

Israeli protesters took aim at President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting at the White House on Monday by unveiling a new drawing on a beach in Tel Aviv nearby the U.S. embassy.The portrait, which TIME has opted not to publish, depicted Trump and Netanyahu face-to-face, the latter of which was featured bearing an elongated nose. Underneath the drawing were the words: “Don’t be fooled again.”The protesters, whose exact identity is unknown, have been critical of Netanyahu for not yet securing the return of the remaining Israeli hostages who have been held captive in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023. This isn’t the first time Israeli protesters have aired their grievances on the beaches of Tel Aviv. These acts of protests are the latest signifier of the home-grown rebellion against the actions of Netanyahu’s government. On Sept. 13, an installation was unveiled on the same stretch of sand opposite the U.S. embassy office. Once again, the portraits of Trump and Netanyahu could be seen, only this time they were each pulling two ends of the crossed yellow ribbon that’s become the symbol of the Israeli hostages. The words “Nobel War” were spelled out underneath and the yellow ribbon was dripping in a red substance, seemingly to indicate blood. On Sept, 5, another demonstration piece on the beach showed Trump as the puppet master of Netanyahu. Seemingly making reference to the hostages, with the yellow ribbon symbol incorporated once more, the words under the installation read: “Wanna save?! Save! Don’t talk!” Read More: ‘If You Don’t, Israel Will Hunt You Down’: Netanyahu Addresses Hamas, Demands Release of Hostages in U.N. Speech In August, thousands of Israelis took to the streets for a nationwide day of activism, calling for an urgent cease-fire, demanding the return of the hostages, and criticising the Israeli government’s decision to expand its military operations in Gaza City. “We’re hearing talk about conquering Gaza, that will be a death sentence for our hostages,” said Viki Cohen, the mother of hostage Eli Cohen, addressing a crowd of protesters at an earlier demonstration. These varied protests come amid global concern over the malnutrition crisis in Gaza and the impact of the Israel-Hamas war on civilians. Netanyahu focused much of his speech at the U.N. General Assembly on Friday on the 48 hostages who are thought to still be in Gaza, 20 of whom he said are still alive. After explaining that his speech was being played out over Gaza via speakers, and landing directly on the phones of people in the territory, Netanyahu addressed the living hostages in the hope his words would reach them. “Our brave heroes, this is Prime Minister Netanyahu speaking to you live from the United Nations. We have not forgotten you, not even for a second. The people of Israel are with you, we will not falter, and we will not rest until we bring all of you home,” he said, first in Hebrew, then in English. Trump also mentioned the hostages in his own U.N. speech delivered three days prior. “We have to get it done. We have to negotiate. Immediately. Have to negotiate peace. We’ve got to get the hostages back,” urged Trump. Both Netanyahu and Trump used their U.N. platforms to heavily criticize the growing number of Western countries who have moved to recognize a Palestinian statehood, arguing it serves as a “reward” to Hamas. The world leaders will be discussing a viable path to peace during Netanyahu’s visit to the White House on Monday. “We have a real chance for greatness in the Middle East. All are on board for something special. First time ever. We will get it done,” Trump claimed via Truth Social on Sunday. Trump doubled down on his viewpoint outside the Oval Office on Monday, as he waited to greet Netanyahu. “I am very confident,” Trump told a journalist who asked: “are you confident there will be peace in Gaza anytime soon?” Read More: Trump Argues Recognition of Palestinian Statehood Encourages ‘Continued Conflict’ During U.N. General Assembly Speech Netanyahu appeared more cautious during his own Sunday statement on the matter. “We’re working on it. It’s not been finalized yet, but we’re working with President Trump’s team, actually, as we speak,” he told Fox News of a possible path to peace. “I hope we can make it a go, because we want to free our hostages, we want to get rid of Hamas rule, and have them disarmed, Gaza demilitarized, and a new future set up for Gazans and Israelis alike, and for the whole region.” The Israel-Hamas war started after Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Over 66,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. In the absence of independent monitoring on the ground, the ministry is the primary source for casualty data relied upon by humanitarian groups, journalists, and international bodies. Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently verified by TIME. Data from the IDF suggests a Palestinian civilian death rate of 83%.