UK Labour groups condemn 'shocking' police violence at Tel Aviv protest

Chaotic scenes in Tel Aviv as police use smoke grenades and water cannon to control anti-government protesters pic.twitter.com/5cl6StWkdV

— The Jewish Chronicle (@JewishChron) March 1, 2023

Protesters took to the streets in Tel Aviv this morning and blocked roads as they step up demonstrations against the government's controversial judicial reforms that have been described as "anti-democratic".

Police used stun grenades on protesters, and one man has lost his ear after one went off right next him. He is one of 11 people being treated in hospital.

Footage on social media shows the police using tear gas, water cannons, and police on horseback in their attempts to disperse the crowds, and police officers were filmed kneeling on the head of one protesters in their attempts to detain him.

At least 36 protesters have been arrested today, and the leader of Israeli Labor Merav Michaeli has pointed out that just six people have been arrested following the riot in Huwara on Sunday night that saw Palestinian homes destroyed in what has been described as a "pogrom".

Wait to see the police officer crush this man's head with his knee.
Tel Aviv, winter of 2023. pic.twitter.com/0MIscFBQum

— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي💙 (@NTarnopolsky) March 1, 2023

Condemning the scenes in Tel Aviv today, director of UK Labour Friends of Israel Michael Rubin told the JC: "The scenes in Tel Aviv are shocking. We stand with the peaceful demonstrators fighting for democracy across Israel; they must be free to protest without fear of violence or threats."

And the National Chair of the Jewish Labour Movement Mike Katz tweeted in reference to Ben-Gvir: "Extremely concerning scenes in Tel Aviv right now. Guess what, but an extremist minister in charge of policing, you get extreme - and intolerable - policing of peaceful protest."

Ben-Gvir has said that he will not allow "anarchists" to control Israeli streets, and he has been backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said: "We will not accept violence against police officers, roadblocks and flagrant violation of state laws. The right to protest is not the right to anarchy.

"I give my full support to the Minister of National Security Ben-Gvir, the Commissioner of Police and the Israel Police officers, who are working against lawbreakers who are disrupting the daily lives of Israeli citizens."

Outside the Azrieli mall in Tel Aviv pic.twitter.com/AoHLcsHcLZ

— Noga Tarnopolsky נגה טרנופולסקי نوغا ترنوبولسكي💙 (@NTarnopolsky) March 1, 2023

In response, leader of the opposition Yair Lapid placed the blame for the violence squarely at the door of Ben-Gvir: "Netanyahu, the only anarchy here is produced by the government over which you have lost control. Bibi, whoever let Ben-Gvir play with an explosive knew it would end in an explosion."

He added: "I call on the police to ignore the dangerous and irresponsible political attempt of Minister Ben-Gvir to try to inflame tensions and try to cause more violence and more anarchy."

Labor leader Merav Michaeli added: "I remind the Commissioner that the Israel Police is not the private militia of Ben-Gvir and Netanyahu. The role of the police is to protect the freedom of protest and demonstration, not to work in the service of the main anarchist, Ben-Gvir."

Meanwhile, National Unity party leader Benny Gantz said that he has called Netanyahu and urged him to stop the passage of the judicial overhaul legislation pending talks with opposition parties, warning that "civil war is on our doorstep."