Anti-Netanyahu protesters nationwide report targeted attacks

Protesters form new political party • "It is unfortunate that instead of protecting the protesters, the Israel Police has become a political tool in Netanyahu's hands," a Rise Israel statement read

By TOBIAS SIEGAL
Anti-Netanyahu protests in Jerusalem continue for the 29th consecutive week, Saturday, January 9, 2020. (photo credit: BEN COHEN)
Anti-Netanyahu protests in Jerusalem continue for the 29th consecutive week, Saturday, January 9, 2020.
(photo credit: BEN COHEN)
Protesters making their way to Jerusalem for the weekly protests against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday were reportedly stopped by police and prevented from entering the city, The Jerusalem Post's sister publication Maariv reported.  
Making their way to the weekly Balfour Street protests, they were stopped by police at the entrance to Jerusalem and reportedly told that they were only allowed to start protesting at 5:30 p.m. 
"It is unfortunate that instead of protecting the protesters, the Israel Police has become a political tool in Netanyahu's hands, used to oppress the right to protest and Israeli democracy," a statement by the Kumi Israel (Rise Israel) Movement read. 
Labor MK Merav Michaeli, who participated in the car envoy making its way to Jerusalem, addressed what she hinted was an attempt by police to block roads and prevent people from reaching the area that has become symbolic for anti-Netanyahu protests in recent months. 
"All roads to Balfour are blocked. They won't succeed," MK Michaeli tweeted. 

Preparing for the 29th consecutive week of the nationwide protests against Netanyahu, Kumi Israel pointed out the recent events that unfolded at the US Capitol and their relevance in the Israeli context. 
"The painful images from the US must be considered a clear warning sign for the price of incitement, populism and a cult of the leader," the movement noted.
The movement's comments reflect the findings of a recent poll indicating that the majority of Israelis (56%) believe that an incident similar to the storming of Capitol Hill by masses of protesters in Washington could take place in Israel.
Saturday's protests come one day after a report indicated that Netanyahu and his family were taken to a safe room last Saturday after protesters allegedly broke through one of the barriers placed to defend the Prime Minister’s Residence.
The report was slammed by the organizations leading the protests, as well as by a senior police official, who told N12 on Saturday that there was no real justification to move Netanyahu and his family to a safe location, as the Prime Minister's official residence "did not face risk of being breached at any point" and that "protesters didn't break through any barrier" but simply failed to follow instructions.  
Anti-Netanyahu protests gather in Ramat Hasharon for the 29th consecutive week of the protests, Saturday, January 9, 2020. (Credit: Black Flags Movement)
Anti-Netanyahu protests gather in Ramat Hasharon for the 29th consecutive week of the protests, Saturday, January 9, 2020. (Credit: Black Flags Movement)
As in previous weeks, thousands of protesters gathered throughout Saturday afternoon on bridges and intersections across the country, waving Israeli flags and calling on Netanyahu to resign immediately. 
Several protesters, including someone in Kfar Yona, were reportedly assaulted. A suspect reportedly approached a group of protesters, cursed them and then shoved one of them while grabbing posters and flags from other nearby protesters. 
Another violent incident against protesters took place in Holon, according to N12, when a group of teenagers sprayed tear gas on a group of anti-Netanyahu protesters. Police later detained one of the suspects involved and took him in for questioning. 
"In recent months a cruel campaign of incitement has been waged against anti-corruption protesters. As a result, hundreds of cases of assaults against protesters have been recorded nationwide. The only way of stopping it and returning Israel to the right track is by limiting the duration of terms and through a persistent war against the culture of lying and consistent corruption of Netanyahu's government," a Black Flags Movement statement read. 
Anti-Netanyahu protests gather on bridges throughout the country for the 29th consecutive week of the protests, Saturday, January 9, 2020. (Credit: Black Flags Movement)
Anti-Netanyahu protests gather on bridges throughout the country for the 29th consecutive week of the protests, Saturday, January 9, 2020. (Credit: Black Flags Movement)
The focal points of the protests in recent weeks at Balfour Street in Jerusalem and Netanyahu's residence in Caesarea continued to draw protesters from across the country this week as well, despite the nationwide lockdown. 
Thousands of protesters marched towards Balfour Street, while hundreds gathered outside of Netanyahu's Caesarea residence. 

On Friday, it was reported that notable figures from organizations that have been organizing the protests against Netanyahu in recent months have announced that they will be running for Knesset in the upcoming round of elections in March, as part of their new party called The Democratic Party, or more fully, "The Democratic - Liberty, Equality and Solidarity." 
A spokesperson of the party has said that it will be presenting its list of candidates to the Knesset during Saturday's protests near the Prime Minister's Balfour Street residence. 
"Starting tomorrow [Saturday] - the social upheaval becomes a political force," a statement by the party read.
"The party will start the process of amending democracy in Israel from the inside and will set an example for how a democracy should work, based on fundamental values of liberty, equality and solidarity," party founder Weizmann Institute Prof. Ehud Shapiro said during the party's launch on Saturday. 
 


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