'Day of Paralysis': Thousands march in Bnei Brak, across Israel

Hundreds of protestors gathered in the Ramat Gan stadium parking lot in preparation for the march to Bnei Brak.

Police officers were positioned along the expected route to prevent friction with local residents.

Sara Netanyahu called on the leaders of the opposition parties to denounce the violence against government ministers, especially the attack on Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter earlier on Thursday.

She added that opposition leaders had not condemned the protesters who had besieged her in a hair salon in Tel Aviv a few weeks ago.

"In recent weeks, threats have been heard and published to assassinate the Prime Minister, myself and our sons, government ministers such as Yariv Levin and Itamar Ben-Gvir, and other public representatives. I strongly condemn these incitement and violent attacks, which have no place among us," she added.

At least 52 judicial reform protesters were arrested so far across Tel Aviv during the "Day of Paralysis" demonstrations, Israel Police said in a Thursday afternoon update.

A group of about 200 veterans of the Golani reconnaissance unit, including active reserve fighters, stated that they will continue to serve in the reserves as much as needed and without conditions.

This was stated in a letter addressed to Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi and added that the IDF should stay out of the political debate.

President Isaac Herzog called for protesters to act responsibly and to avoid acts that would lead to more hate and the widening of rifts in the country, ahead of protests planned in the haredi city of Bnei Brak later in the day.

Herzog emphasized that especially at the beginning of the holiday season there are opportunities to create respectful discourse and pay deeper attention to fears and concerns of the other side.

The president and his staff relayed this message to the mayor of Bnei Brak, law enforcement officials, elected officials, protest groups, community leaders and public opinion leaders.

"Chief Rabbi urges unity" is the headline of Friday's Jewish Chronicle the UK's oldest Jewish newspaper, which published a special edition titled "Israel in Crisis."

UK's Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis wrote a short op-ed where he calls for unity and calmness before the visit of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday and throughout the weekend. 

"I never thought that we would witness a time when citizens of Israel, including respected leaders, are openly speaking about the possibility, God forbid, of civil war," Mirvis wrote. "Every Shabbat and Festival we pray: 'Grant peace in Your Holy Land and everlasting happiness to all its inhabitants'. Today, these words apply to internal peace, as well as to the longstanding external threats facing Israel."

Mirvis added that "at this moment of national crisis, Jewish unity must be our foremost priority. Jewish unity is not only a noble aspiration. It is a sacred responsibility – for politicians, leaders, activists, and for us all, both in Israel and around the world.

"I fervently pray for the success of the efforts of all those who are promoting dialogue, understanding and mutual respect, despite the depth of the challenges.

Judicial reform supporters wave Likud flags and hold signs reading ''The leftist minority will not determine Israel'' and ''Leftist traitors'' at a protest on Saturday night, March 18, 2023. (credit: ERIK MARMOR/FLASH90)

"If any country specializes in achieving the apparently unachievable, it is the State of Israel. To do so today, it must hold fast to the principles upon which it was founded – respect and dignity for all of its people, regardless of their background or political leanings," Mirvis wrote.

Other Jews also publish op-eds on the situation

The JC also published op-eds by Israelis and prominent UK Jews who share their opinions on the toxic situation in Israel and Israel's relations with other countries and the Jews in the Diaspora.

Netanyahu isn't expected to meet with UK's Jewish community according to senior officials in the Jewish community who spoke with The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday.

"We're not meeting the prime minister and that's not unusual since he rarely meets with us when visiting the UK," the source said.

 As of Wednesday, there are no meetings planned with the organized Jewish community.

"If we were asked to meet we wouldn't say no, but our message would be similar to that of American leaders," which is against the judicial reforms.

At least 13 protestors have been arrested so far, mostly in Tel Aviv.

Protestors blocked Ayalon Highway to traffic in the late morning. The blockage was cleared an hour later.