Protests in Yerushalayim intensified for a second consecutive day on Thursday, driven by an approaching cabinet session set to debate the removal of Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, ongoing government efforts to advance contentious legislation that would increase political influence over the judiciary, and the unraveling of the Gaza ceasefire-hostage agreement.
Outside Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu’s residence, clashes between police and protesters escalated as authorities used water cannons against demonstrators. Two police officers were captured on video aggressively pushing Yair Golan, leader of The Democrats party, causing him and others to fall to the ground.
One video from the scene showed Golan rushing toward a protester who had been shoved by an officer. Moments later, Golan was himself pushed by the policeman. In the chaos, another protester was seen lying on the ground after seemingly being struck by the water cannon, while another was reportedly injured with visible facial injuries from the water blast, according to Hebrew media outlets.
Authorities rejected claims that the water cannons had been filled with skunk-scented water, as reported by some media.
Golan, undeterred by the altercation, vowed to continue his opposition to the government. In a tweet, he assured, “Don’t worry, I’m fine. After 38 years in the IDF, a few pushes won’t stop me and us,” adding that he would not “stop for a moment” in his “determined struggle” against the coalition’s judicial reforms, the return of hostages, and the effort to “replace the government.”
Yair Lapid, leader of the opposition, condemned the police’s actions, expressing his disapproval on X. He stated that Golan, a former deputy chief of staff in the IDF and current opposition leader, “cannot be harmed while demonstrating for Israeli democracy” and called on Police Commissioner Daniel Levy to “order an immediate investigation into the incident.”
Benny Gantz, leader of the National Unity party, accused Netanyahu’s government of inciting violence, following the incident with Golan. In a tweet, Gantz observed that recent events, including a taxi driver allegedly running over a protester, were not isolated. “All of this is a direct result of an extremist government that has lost its restraint and is busy widening the division among the people instead of [promoting] unity. Stop before a disaster happens,” he warned.
Protests reached a new height on Wednesday as the government prepared to dismiss Bar and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, both of whom have become targets of Netanyahu and his right-wing coalition in recent months. A cabinet meeting was set to approve Bar’s ouster on Thursday evening, with Baharav-Miara potentially next on the chopping block.
Netanyahu, using rhetoric reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump, accused Israel’s “leftist Deep State” of manipulating the justice system to undermine the people’s will by obstructing the government’s efforts.
As frustration mounted over the planned dismissals and the renewed fighting in Gaza, which has left the fate of hostages uncertain, the protests grew larger and more fervent. Hundreds of demonstrators, led by academics from Jerusalem, marched in the rain from Hebrew University’s Givat Ram campus to Rehavia, where Netanyahu’s residence is situated. The protest was organized by prominent figures, including Tel Aviv University President Ariel Porat and Israel Bar Association head Amit Becher.
They were joined by other protesters near Netanyahu’s home on Azza Street, where Border Police set up barricades and deployed water cannons.
Former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon, a vocal critic of Netanyahu after his tenure in the government, was also present at the demonstration.
Earlier in the day, members of the Civil Rebellion protest group blocked Paris Square in Jerusalem with their cars, prompting a response from police, who towed the vehicles and arrested some activists.
Later in the day, protesters planned to march from Azza Street to the Government Quarter, where a demonstration was to be held outside the scheduled cabinet meeting to discuss Bar’s dismissal. On Wednesday, at least 12 people were arrested outside Netanyahu’s residence after a day of widespread protests. Clashes between police and demonstrators occurred as many protesters attempted to break through security barriers and block traffic.
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