Police remove anti-Netanyahu protest tent; ex-Shabak chief injured

 

Former Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief Carmi Gillon was handcuffed and carried away by policemen. Gillon was reportedly injured by police when he was dragged away from the protest tent.

Police announced on Thursday that it has begun preparations ahead of the two protests: one opposing and the other supporting Netanyahu.
The two protests are planned to take place in front of Netanyahu’s official residence on Balfour Street in Jerusalem on opposite sides of the street, with police forces separating between the two warring groups.

However, on this occasion, the two protests will switch places, with the pro-Netanyahu protesters achieving the right to protest in Paris Square.

According to assessments, some 3,000 Netanyahu supporters will arrive by buses. In past anti-Netanyahu protests, tens of thousands came from across the country, not only to protest the economic crisis, but also calling for Netanyahu to resign following his indictment for fraud, bribery and breach of trust.

Some Netanyahu supporters announced on various social media networks that they plan to perform the priestly Kohanim Prayer, as well as a mass Shema Yisrael (Hear, O Israel) prayer.

Regardless of their political affinity, all protesters are obliged to reduce noise levels starting from 9:30 p.m. and end the protest by 11:00 p.m. following a High Court of Justice decision.

The police announced that whoever plans to disobey these instructions will be apprehended by local forces that will deploy in Paris Square, Aza Street and Ben Maimon Street, as well as in adjacent areas.

But confrontations began even earlier. As police started evacuating anti-Netanyahu protesters from the Paris Square on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the protests planned to take place later during the day, confrontations broke out between police and protesters who refused to evacuate the area.

Carmi Gilon, former head of the Shin Bet, made his way to Balfour in support of Netanyahu’s critics, saying that he is willing to get arrested for his right to demonstrate against the prime minister.

“It is inconceivable that the right of one group to protest will be favored over the right of the other,” Gilon said. “That’s why I came here to support them.”

As reported by The Jerusalem Post