Multiple protests began throughout Israel early on Tuesday morning as part of the “National Day of Resistance” against the government’s planned judicial reforms, with five arrested so far and one 40-year-old woman injured.
The woman was injured on Highway 531 near Ra’anana by a vehicle. MDA paramedics arrived at the scene to provide her with medical treatment and evacuated her to Rabin Medical Center in critical condition.
The protests started early morning with hundreds gathering at Habima Square in Tel Aviv. Kaplan Street and Menachem Begin Street in Tel Aviv were closed down to the public as a result of the protests. Demonstrators also marched on Ibn Gabirol Street which was then closed to traffic.
A person riding a scooter was arrested under suspicion of assaulting a protester in Tel Aviv, according to police.
Protesters also blocked traffic on Highway 2, where police arrested two individuals suspected of disturbing the peace. The highway was promptly reopened to traffic. Highway 6 was blocked, but police will allow “freedom of expression and protest within the limits of the law, but will not allow the violation of public order, disruption of traffic regulations and risk the safety of road users,” a police spokesperson said. The highway was subsequently opened to traffic.
Highway 5 and Highway 4 were also blocked, Hebrew media reported.
Police feared physical confrontations between demonstrators and supporters of the reform, a police official told N12, and therefore increased their security levels as a result of the demonstrations.
Israelis block the entrance to the Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv as they protest the governments planned judicial reform. July 18, 2023. (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)The hi-tech and Brothers in Arms protests
The Brothers in Arms reservist organization protested on Kaplan Street early Tuesday morning, chanting: “Gallant is destroying the People’s Army!” in Hebrew.
Members of the organization restrained themselves using pipes to bind themselves together in front of the Defense Ministry, which is a “known method of non-violent resistance,” according to the organization.
“The People’s Army and Israel’s security are in real danger,” the organization stated. “If this dictatorial legislation is passed, the People’s Army will not last. We are calling on Defense Minister Gallant: You have proven in the past that Israel’s security is the most important thing to you, stop the dictatorial legislation now.”
The organization also infiltrated the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building, blocking the entrance and demonstrating alongside hi-tech protesters, with some carrying signs that say: “Save our Economy.” The demonstrators carried blocks of concrete and placed them across the road to prevent the arrival of water cannons.
“The People’s Army and Israel’s security are in real danger. If this dictatorial legislation is passed, the People’s Army will not last. We are calling on Defense Minister Gallant: You have proven in the past that Israel’s security is the most important thing to you, stop the dictatorial legislation now.”
Brothers in Arms reservist organization
The hi-tech protest’s message states: “This government of destruction ignores all warnings and is turning Israel into an isolated and impoverished dictatorship, and we are all left without security, work, or pensions. We must go to the streets and resist – we cannot allow the government to destroy the economy!”
Protests planned throughout the country
Protests are planned to be in Hod Hasharon, Petah Tikva, Ramat Gan, Jerusalem, Hadera, Beersheba, Eilat, and the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, N12 reported. Hundreds of demonstrators had already gathered in Binyamina and the Ma’agan Michael kibbutz, Walla reported. A Ynet report stated that dozens of protesters had gathered in front of Histadrut Labor Federation chief Arnon Bar-David’s house in Kiryat Ono. A protest march left from Tel Aviv University towards the Histadrut building, Walla reported.
The protest organizations intend to focus on demonstrations at the Israel Railway platforms to delay trains and to disrupt the digital space as part of the hi-tech protest, the N12 report said.
People demonstrate on the ‘Day of National Resistance’ in protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his nationalist coalition government’s judicial reform, in Tel Aviv, Israel July 18, 2023. (credit: CORINNA KERN/REUTERS)Demonstrating at the train station
Transportation Minister Miri Regev warned of the danger of demonstrating at train station platforms: “The protest may not only lead to serious harm to the traveling public but will also pose a real danger to the protesters’ safety and well-being.” Israel Railway platforms where demonstrations are expected include Haifa, Herzliya and Tel Aviv HaShalom.
Protests had already begun in Haifa, with many women at the scene dressing up as characters from The Handmaid’s Tale. Protesters also blocked Sokolov interchange near Kafr Saba, Ynet reported. Police have arrested two on Highway 531 near the city for violating public order.
Protesters wearing ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ costumes demonstrate at Lahav Junction in central Israel on July 18, 2023 during the nationwide ‘Day of Resistance.’ (credit: MOSHE TAYIR VIA MAARIV)Netanyahu and Biden on the judicial reform
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had Monday night with US President Joe Biden, spoke on the judicial reform after months of disconnection. In a statement published by the White House, “Biden emphasized to Netanyahu the importance of agreements in legislation.” Biden had refused to invite Netanyahu to visit the White House due to the advancement of the reform.
This is a developing story.
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