Israeli protestors block roads across 'Tel Aviv' amid rising tensions

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Israeli Media
9 Mar 2023 13:52
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Israeli media reports that protestors are blocking several traffic hubs in "Tel Aviv" on the "Day of Resistance Against Dictatorship," while Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatens to arrest demonstrators during a press conference held at Ben Gurion Airport.

Israeli police scuffle with protesters as they try to block a main road to protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to overhaul the judicial system, in "Tel Aviv, Israel", Thursday, March 9, 2023 (AP).

Under the banner of "Day of Resistance Against the Dictatorship," Israeli protestors, according to Israeli media, have blocked several roads across "Tel Aviv".

According to media reports, Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) reservists have blocked the entrance to the "Kohelet Forum" buildings, a think tank supporting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial reforms, in occupied Al-Quds.

Israeli media highlighted that "traffic disruptions" are expected in the vicinity of Ben Gurion Airport and various parts of "Israel".

Under the supervision of Police Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, police are deployed throughout the occupied territories, according to Israeli media, while Ben-Gvir holds a session to assess the situation with the Police Inspector-General, General Yaakov Shabtai.

The protests were "planned to block highways leading to "Israel's" main international airport ahead of Netanyahu's departure to Rome for a state visit," while Ben-Gvir "pledged to prevent the disturbances."

After arriving in Ben Gurion, Police Minister Ben-Gvir said "Anarchy must not be allowed, this is my directive to the police."

Former Israeli Security Minister Benny Gantz sent a letter to the government's judicial advisor, requesting that Ben-Gvir be prevented from giving orders to police chiefs and that he be banned from entering the police command room.

The letter also noted that Ben-Gvir "describes the demonstrators as anarchists and uses the police for political purposes."

Given the roadblocks, Netanyahu arrived at Ben Gurion Airport by helicopter, accompanied by his wife.

Moreover, Israeli Media reported that Israelis residing in Italy plan to demonstrate against Netanyahu during his Rome visit.

It is expected that Netanyahu will meet his Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni and other high-level officials before returning to "Israel" on Saturday night.

This visit is among Netanyahu's first official visits abroad since his return to office in December.

IAF pilots threaten to abstain from service over 'judicial reform

About 20 Israeli representatives of flight squadrons and air force command and control units told Israeli occupation military Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi on Tuesday that most reservist air crews will stop flying if the "judicial reform" of the Israeli occupation government passes, Israeli media reported.

During a meeting with the representatives, Halevi promised to reprimand the Israeli government over the insults that politicians tossed at reservist pilots after most of Squadron 69’s reservists said they wouldn’t show up for a training day on Wednesday.

However, after reaching compromises, the reservists agreed to come to the "Hatzerim" airbase and hold talks with the base commander Brigadier General Guy Davidson.

Davidson warned that "the Middle East is full of Israel’s enemies. The air force, its power, and the deterrence it creates is the power that keeps the Middle East in line," underlining that reservists must act responsibly and not cause damage to the Israeli occupation military.

According to a summary of Tuesday's meeting, the representatives briefed Halevi on the situation in their squadrons, where there is an escalated level of worry.

"The situation in most squadrons is that a significant portion will not continue to fly if the reform passes in its current format," the summary read.

It added that "some feel that we're in a war for our home" and for "Israel" and "are willing to do anything they can to save it."

Halevi asked the reservists to leave the Israeli occupation military outside the current turmoil, adding that "Israel" "can’t do without the army’s deterrent power."