Clashes in Dizengoff Square following a gender-segregated mass prayer. September 24, 2023/None
The leaders of the protest said on Wednesday that the "prayer for the peace of the state and democracy," which was organized as a protest event against the prayer of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, was moved from Dizengoch Square to Habima Square, in order to prevent dangerous clashes between the groups. "We stand with the residents in their struggle, choosing not to be dragged by extremist provocateurs," the protest groups said.
Yesterday, the Kaplun Force, together with other protest organizations, announced a demonstration prayer against Ben-Gvir's prayer at Dizengoff Square this coming Thursday. "Precisely at a time when the prime minister and his ministers are trying to flood the public with poison and hatred, we choose to unite under the values of equality and freedom that connect us all," the organization said.
Newspaper during Yom Kippur prayer at Dizengoff/Flash Square 90, Tomer Neuberg
However, the move met with opposition, with many protest organizations announcing that they did not intend to take part in the event if it was also held in Dizengoff Square, for fear of provocations and violence. "We are examining the possibility of holding the event elsewhere in order to lower the flames and act to heal the rifts and not expand them," the organizations said yesterday, "We very much hope that the Kaplan Force will participate in the event in the new location to be determined and not next to the provocation planned by Ben-Gvir."
Today, the organizations announced that the event had been moved from Dizengoff Square to nearby Habima Square, "after a dialogue with residents of the area, and after no answers were received regarding how to prevent Minister Ben-Gvir's dangerous provocation." Kaplan's force said it "stands with the residents in their struggle, choosing not to be dragged by extremist provocateurs." The event will take place starting at 18:30 with the approval of the Tel Aviv-Jaffa Municipality.
- More on the subject:
- Tel Aviv-Yafo
- Itamar Ben-Gvir
