‘Day of resistance against dictatorship’ in Israel: Prime Minister’s house besieged

Mass protests are taking place today against legislation by the Benjamin Netanyahu government that restricts the powers of the judiciary in Israel.

Israeli protesters began gathering in the squares of different parts of Tel Aviv in groups of hundreds from early in the morning. The Israeli police took intense security measures in the center of the city and closed some roads to traffic.

Calls for planned protests by activist groups to disrupt daily life, such as road closures, were reflected in the Israeli press under titles such as “Day of Resistance Against Dictatorship”, “Day of Resistance” and “Day of Civil disobedience”.

A group of protesters gathered outside Prime Minister Netanyahu’s home in West Jerusalem. Another group came to the center of Kohelet, a right-wing non-governmental organization (NGO), which is also a supporter of the Netanyahu government, in West Jerusalem and attempted to block their entry. Protesters threw counterfeit dollar bills at those leaving the center.

FORMER NAVY COMMANDERS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN THE PROTESTS

The protest actions that spread to the streets also took place at sea. Dozens of yachts, boats and canoes on the coast of Haifa blocked the port to prevent ships from docking here. Among the protesters were former navy commanders Ami Ayalon and David Ben-Besht.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport, where protesters called a meeting to disrupt Netanyahu’s visit to Italy, saying: “I came to support our security forces. We will not allow lawlessness, ”he said.

Meanwhile, in a written statement made by the Israeli police, it was indicated that 6 protesters were detained since morning hours for “disturbing public order with actions such as blocking roads” and were taken to the police station for questioning. Israeli Police Chief Kobi Shabtai said in a written statement yesterday that the police “will allow people to demonstrate, but will not tolerate blocking roads.”

THE US DEFENSE PROGRAM CHANGED

Due to the protests, it has been reported that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will meet US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who will visit the country today, not at his office in West Jerusalem, but near Ben Gurion International Airport. in Tel Aviv. .

In a story in the Israeli press, it was noted that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who will visit Italy today, may have to fly from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv by helicopter due to the protests. (AA)