Protest against Netanyahu in Tel Aviv: 21 arrests

21 people were detained in a protest against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the capital Tel Aviv of Israel. An investigation has been launched into the police officer who struck a protester’s head with a baton during the demonstrations in Tel Aviv.

Once again, opponents of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took to the streets in the capital Tel Aviv. Protesters gathered in front of the Ministry of Defense to protest the government’s war policy. Calling for a new agreement for the release of prisoners and early elections, the demonstrators chanted slogans against the government and demanded its resignation. When the protesters attempted to set up barricades on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv, police tried to stop them with water cannons and mounted units. Amid the clashes between police and protesters, an Israeli police officer intervened with a baton against a protester. It was reported that there were injuries during the altercation between the protesters and the police, and 21 people were also detained.

Investigation into police intervention with baton against protesters by Israeli police
During the demonstrations in Tel Aviv, a mounted police officer struck a protester’s head with a baton. Other protesters intervened after the blow caused the protester to collapse to the ground. Following the significant public outrage over the incident, an investigation has been launched into the actions of the police.

Criticism from Lapid to the police
Opposition leader Yair Lapid criticized the police. Lapid stated that the actions of the police towards the protesters were “anti-democratic.” Criticizing the police for resorting to violence, Lapid said, “The police violence against protesters tonight, including the families of hostages, is dangerous, anti-democratic, and cannot continue. The right to protest is a fundamental right and cannot be suppressed with batons and water cannons.”