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Israeli police fired stun grenades and scuffles broke out in Tel Aviv on Wednesday during a nationwide “day of disturbance”, intensifying weeks of protests against a controversial government plan to shake up the judiciary.
In footage not seen of a Tel Aviv demonstration in years, police on horseback tried to stop protesters breaching barricades as traffic backed up. Live footage showed police dragging protesters down the street as protesters chanted “shame” and “we are the majority and we are out on the streets.”
One Tel Aviv protester apparently wounded by a grenade crouched down, holding his head, while an Israeli flag lay beside him on the street next to a pool of blood.
Radio Reshet Bet said police used water cannons to disperse the protesters.
Police said they arrested 39 protesters in Tel Aviv for disturbing the peace while 11 people were hospitalized with various injuries, according to the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center.
“We will not accept violence against the police, blocking roads or breaking the law. The right to demonstrate is not the right to anarchy,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose governing nationalist-religious coalition pressed ahead with judicial changes there.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said some protesters threw stones and police would use all means to prevent “anarchists” from rioting and blocking roads.
The judicial reform plan includes giving coalition lawmakers who decide to appoint judges and limiting the scope of the Supreme Court to overturn laws or regulations against the executive.
‘Slow down’: US ambassador on reform
In parliament, the Knesset constitution, justice and law committee gave initial approval to other proposals in the plan, in a boycott vote by opposition legislators who said Israel would cease to exist as a democracy if it goes through.
The plan has not yet become law but has affected the shekel currency and raised concerns among some Western allies about the health of Israel’s democracy.
“Slowly, maybe bring people together, try to build a consensus,” US Ambassador Tom Nides said at a Tel Aviv University Institute for National Security Studies conference on Tuesday.
Netanyahu, on trial for corruption charges he has denied, said the changes would restore balance between the branches of government and boost business. Economists and legal experts say it will isolate Israel and damage its economy.
Polls show the plan is unpopular with most Israelis who prefer a compromise.
Warning that the country was in “constitutional and social collapse,” President Isaac Herzog pushed for an agreed agreement.
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