An alleged plot to assassinate far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has been foiled by police.
A resident of east Jerusalem was arrested by police after it emerged that the suspect allegedly planned to steal police license plates in order to get close to the controversial National Security Minister and assassinate him.
The suspect had allegedly met with representatives of terror groups who gave him money to help with his plan, which was intended to be carried out during Ramadan when Ben-Gvir planned on visiting Temple Mount.
Israeli police have put a gag order on any further details of the plot being released, and Ben-Gvir said in a statement that he will "continue to work toward a strong right-wing security policy, defeat terrorism and return security and governance to the streets."
The alleged plot was revealed as Israel confronts another day of protests against the Netanyahu government's controversial judicial reform plans, with police using 'riot dispersal methods' to clear demonstrators from a key interchange in Tel Aviv.
According to footage from the scene, police used numerous stun grenades on protesters at the Hashalom Interchange in Tel Aviv, as well as tear gas and using horses to disperse the crowds.
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Israeli mounted police try to block protesters during a demonstration against the government's controversial justice reform bill in Tel Aviv on March 1, 2023. (Photo by JACK GUEZ / AFP)
According to protesters, several people were injured after at least 10 stun grenades were used by police, with one telling Channel 13 news: "A stun grenade went off right next to me. I have cuts on my legs and need to seek medical treatment.”
He added that a woman near him “was bleeding from her ear” after the grenade went off, adding: “There is no doubt that the police have decided to take things up a notch today. They see us as enemies of the nation.”
Protesters reportedly chanted "shame" at police officers as they moved to disperse the crowds, with one demonstrator telling the Kan public broadcaster: “A real shame about the violence but we will not give up on democracy."
Israeli police have said that a 26-year-old protester was arrested in Haifa amid another mass protest against the Netanyahu government's reform plans.
Officers said that when attempting to clear a road, one protester refused to move and began hitting an officer.
