Demonstrations: Thousands of Israelis spontaneously protest against the government

In a spontaneous anti-government rally, thousands of Israelis blocked a major freeway in both directions for hours in the coastal city of Tel Aviv on Wednesday evening. There, a day after a similar ramming attack, a car drove into a crowd and slightly injured a demonstrator, the police said. The driver was then arrested. Media reported that he was frustrated by the traffic jam.

The protest was triggered by the resignation of Tel Aviv’s popular police district chief. Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had demanded that he take a firm hand against the participants in the months-long demonstrations against the government and its planned judicial reforms. Ami Eshed refused because he said he didn’t want to use “unreasonable force”. Ben-Gvir and Israel’s police chief Kobi Shabtai planned to transfer him to another department. Ashed refused.

Multiple arrests

Demonstrators also blocked roads in other cities across the country. The police used water cannons to disperse them. A woman was injured in clashes with security forces in Jerusalem. In the capital, dozens marched to the home of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

At the rally in Tel Aviv, which broadcaster Kan estimated between 20,000 and 30,000 people attended, demonstrators set fires on several blocked streets. The police clearly struggled to restore order. Several people were arrested.

The government is resuming a hiatus in restructuring the judicial system, which aims to weaken the country’s highest court. Since then, the anti-government demonstrations have gained momentum again. The government accuses the judges of excessive interference in political decisions. Critics see the separation of powers and the democratic order in danger.

There are currently other sources of conflict

In addition to the controversial judicial reform, which is dividing society, Israel is currently dealing with other trouble spots. Israel’s military only ended its largest operation in the West Bank in 20 years on Wednesday night. After air raids, around a thousand soldiers moved into the city of Jenin on Monday night to smash “terrorist infrastructure” there. They exchanged violent fire with armed Palestinians.

During the operation, among other things, command centers and weapons depots of militant Palestinians were destroyed. But roads, cars, power and water lines were also damaged.

Thousands gathered after the departure of the Israeli soldiers for the burial of several of those killed in the operation. At least twelve Palestinians and one Israeli soldier died in the operation. According to the Israeli military, the Palestinians killed were said to have been militants. More than 100 Palestinians were also injured.

The security situation has been tense for a long time

Rockets then flew out of the Gaza Strip on Wednesday night, and the Israeli army responded with airstrikes on the sealed-off coastal area. Also on Tuesday, a Palestinian attacker drove into a crowd in Tel Aviv, injuring at least seven people. The ruling Hamas in the Gaza Strip spoke of a “reaction” to the events in Jenin.

The security situation in Israel and the West Bank has long been tense. Since the beginning of the year, two dozen people have died in attacks by Palestinians. During the same period, more than 150 Palestinians were shot dead during violent clashes, Israeli military operations, or after their own attacks.

Israel conquered the West Bank and East Jerusalem during the 1967 Six Day War. The Palestinians claim both areas as part of their own state. However, a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict that has been going on for decades seems a long way off.