Israeli police clash with captives families in anti-Netanyahu protests

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli media
24 Feb 2024 23:15
3 Shares

The Israeli police have responded to the protesters with excessive force, employing skunk-water cannons and forcefully knocking down a minimum of 10 settlers.

Israeli settlers protest against Benjamin Netanyahu, in “Tel Aviv”, March 18, 2023 (AP)

Thousands of Israeli settlers are currently rallying against the government, calling for new elections outside the Israeli occupation's President’s residence in occupied al-Quds.

"Save our Shared Home," a protest organization based in occupied al-Quds, is strongly criticizing the government's treatment of forcibly displaced Palestinians in Gaza. They are also demanding the prompt release of the 134 Israeli captives, with concerns about their well-being. Additionally, speakers are condemning Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir for his proposed restrictions on Muslim access to al-Aqsa during the holy month of Ramadan, fearing a backlash.

#بالفيديو | آلاف المستوطنين يتظاهرون في "تل أبيب" مطالبين برحيل نتنياهو وعقد صفقة تبادل أسرى.#طوفان_الأقصى #الميادين pic.twitter.com/cDPkqYen2v
— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) February 24, 2024

“It’s clear to everyone that this will lead to an amplification of risk, a real flare-up in Jerusalem,” said "Save our Shared Home" activist Osnat Hazan, labeling Ben-Gvir “the national security minister who is doing everything to ensure there is no national security,” as per The Times of Israel.

Israeli protests turned violent

In "Tel Aviv", tensions escalated as Israeli police clashed with the families of captives, resulting in violent skirmishes. According to reports from Israeli media, the situation unfolded during the arrest of at least 18 protesters.

🚨BREAKING:AT LEAST 18 ARRESTED IN TEL AVIV.

At least 18 arrested during wild protests in Tel Aviv against Netanyahu's government, calling for the return of the Israeli prisoners in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/wTM87jg5QE
— Censored Voice. (@CensoredNws) February 24, 2024

The Israeli police responded to the protesters with excessive force, employing skunk-water cannons and forcefully knocking down a minimum of 10 settlers.

#Watch | Israeli police use water cannons to disperse the families of captives held in #Gaza protesting in "Tel Aviv". https://t.co/IRRPSkJNuv
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) February 24, 2024

Usurpers Israeli police use skunk-water cannon as anti-regime protests rage on in Tel Aviv pic.twitter.com/xvQNGRRgGF
— Freedom Truth Honor 🇺🇳 (@FreedomHonor666) February 24, 2024

On his account, former Security Minister Moshe Yaalon slammed Netanyahu for not taking responsibility for Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, as the heads of the Israeli security establishment did, stating, “But you, Netanyahu, are in charge, so you are guilty.”

The big picture

Pressure from the families of captives on Netanyahu's administration has been mounting as they aim to push for negotiations for a prisoner exchange deal with the Palestinian Resistance, especially after some of them were killed due to Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.

Despite these calls from Israelis, Netanyahu is insistent on "absolute victory" in Gaza. Netanyahu said earlier in February that the objective of the war on Gaza was "absolute victory" and pointed out that this cannot be achieved without defeating the Resistance militarily, announcing that the next stage of the invasion would target the southernmost city of Rafah.