After the demonstration at the Charles Clore Park, the demonstrators blocked the promenade and made their way to Habima Square via Rothschild • Police claim: Protesters sprayed pepper spray at an officer • In Jerusalem, police forces used accessories to disperse demonstrations and water hoses • More than 20 detainees

Violence and detainees - an evening of stormy protests against the government:  Violent demonstrations took place last night (Saturday) in protest against Prime Minister Netanyahu and against government policies in both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Clashes broke out between police and protesters in both hotspots and more than 20 people were arrested.

Protest against PM in Jerusalem: Clashes between protesters and police in downtown // Photos: Yoni Rickner, Yuri Yalon

About 1,500 demonstrators came to protest against the prime minister in Jerusalem, and some broke through police checkpoints and surrounded the residence. Later some of the protesters started marching towards the city center from King George Street at first without any interruption from the police, but later arrived at the scene from a squabble that began to operate towards the protesters and dispersed the blockades. Around 01:00, police dispersed protesters from Paris Square and some of them were arrested.

At 02:00 at night, the police announced the end of the protest and announced that "the police allowed freedom of expression and protest in a demonstration that took place near the prime minister's residence, and at one point the demonstrators tried to march, with some reaching Bezalel Street, where they were pushed back by police." 

"Several more attempts were made by the protesters to march to the city center area, and these were stopped by the police forces, and the protest continued to take place in Paris Square, until most of the protesters dispersed. "A total of 15 suspects were arrested during the demonstration, including those who violated public order and for assaulting a police officer."

The young protesters claimed that "contrary to the agreement with the demonstrators - the police violently evacuate the protesters. The demonstrators talked to the police in order to disperse quietly, and the police were told that if they approached Sucker Park the incident could end quietly. On Bezalel Street. "

In contrast to the demonstration on Tuesday in which the police cleared the road, this time the demonstrators are given freedom of movement. The demonstrators carry black flags and signs that read: "Siege of Balfour," "No Pride in Violent Police," "Detached Tired," and "Enough of the Occupation, Enough of Corruption," and an English caption: "Free Palestine first" of PLO flag-colored demonstrators. One of the demonstrators wore a mask in the image of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a prisoner's uniform and handcuffs in his hands.

Protest in Tel Aviv as well

At the same time, a demonstration was organized in Tel Aviv organized by the self-employed. This time the demonstration was held at the Charles Clore Garden in Tel Aviv, but spread and became violent as well. Acting Police Commissioner Superintendent Moti Cohen arrived at the compound to closely monitor the police deployment at the scene. At the end of the demonstration, the protesters began blocking the promenade road.

Protest against the government in Tel Aviv: clashes between police and demonstrators // Photo: Moshe Ben Simhon, Avi Cohen

Around 02:00 at night, the police announced that the check had ended and a total of 13 people had been arrested. After the demonstration in Charles Clore, some of the protesters came through Rothschild Boulevard and concentrated in front of the Habima plaza and blocked the intersection. The police chief informed them that this was an illegal demonstration and called on them to evacuate the place within a reasonable period of time. Police in riot gear stormed a rally on Friday, removing hundreds of protesters by truck. 

The demonstrators confronted the police while throwing objects at them and trying to break through the fences set by the police. Police have warned the rioters that they will be forced to disperse them and demand that they stop the violence.

According to police, the protesters sprayed pepper spray against a police officer and continue violent activity against police officers. At this point the police began making arrests of suspects in harming police officers and inciting violence.

The event featured the band Tislam, Rami Kleinstein, Miri Mesika and Hemi Rodner, and in addition to them, a number of independents and social activists called on the Israeli government to change direction. "The zigzags and pulls of the last 48 hours have demonstrated the tremendous damage that this government has done," said event organizers who made it clear "with headlines you can't pay at the grocery store - did you stand at the top? Take responsibility."

According to the police statement, the police together with the protest organizers coordinated expectations in advance and regulated the conditions of the protest so that public order would be maintained and adherence to the required conditions would be maintained with an emphasis on corona virus threat. The police will work to enable the protest to take place while at the same time ensuring compliance with the emergency regulations so that there is no harm to public health and preventing the spread of the corona virus.

During the day: Demonstrations on bridges and intersections across the country

 At the same time, demonstrators marched on 200 bridges and intersections around the country, including Yesod HaMaala Junction, Ghetto Fighters Junction, Ein Hamifratz Bridge, Ahihud Junction, Big Junction in Carmiel, Elyakim Interchange, Beit Hashita Bridge, Olga Bridge on the coastal road, Rishpon Bridge over Ayalon, Rehavam Zeevi Bridge , Gesher Hashalom, Naan Bridge, Bilu Junction and more. 

The black flag movement said: "The sights we see around the country are the result of a dysfunctional government. "The economic catastrophe is an existential threat to the State of Israel as we know it. The citizens of the country deserve a functioning prime minister who is only concerned with the problems of the citizens and not with survival."

"This week we saw an impressive demonstration of spins - only with spins you can not buy in the grocery store or pay rent. A direct line runs between the fact that the defendant is trying to escape prosecution for his crimes and the panic that gave rise to the economic crisis. When there is no leadership it is the citizens' job to take leadership," they added. .

Participants in the preparation of the article: Itzik Saban, Daniel Roth-Avnery