Israeli settlers, police clash in anti-Netanyahu protest in al-Quds
4 Min Read
Demonstrators made their way to occupied al-Quds on Monday to gather outside the Israeli Knesset and Netanyahu's residence in a week of unrest.
-
People take part in a protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, demanding new elections and the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza, outside the Knesset in occupied al-Quds, Palestine, on June 17, 2024. (AP)
Tens of thousands of Israeli settlers protested against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government on Monday amid its inability to secure the release of dozens of Israeli captives still held in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Protests against Netanyahu's conduct have escalated, with tens of thousands flocking to the streets in Tel Aviv every weekend, with reports of some being arrested last week.
Demonstrators made their way to occupied al-Quds on Monday to gather outside the Israeli Knesset and Netanyahu's residence, calling for new elections as part of what activists have called a "week of unrest," demanding the ousting of Netanyahu, and urging a prisoner exchange deal.
Israeli settlers are protesting outside Netanyahu's residence in occupied al-Quds and the Knesset, demanding a prisoner exchange deal, ousting Netanyahu's government, and early elections.#AlQuds #OccupiedPalestine https://t.co/ekjF6KTkIM
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 17, 2024
Soon after, the protests turned violent as the police clashed with the protesting settlers, resulting in the arrest of nine people with a couple of injuries reported.
🚨BREAKING: More than 100 thousand Israelis are currently demonstrating in front of the Knesset headquarters in Jerusalem, demanding early elections to remove Netanyahu's government pic.twitter.com/mFCroDEgis
— Suppressed News. (@SuppressedNws) June 17, 2024
Online footage showed police using water cannons against demonstrators. Consequently, a medic wearing a vest clearly marking her as such was injured in the eye, requiring her transfer to the hospital.
Reports say a traffic light and a street pole have been knocked down during the intense clashes.
BREAKING: PROTESTS TURN INTO RIOTS IN ISRAEL.
— Sulaiman Ahmed (@ShaykhSulaiman) June 17, 2024
More than 150,000 demonstrators participated in the largest demonstration to overthrow the Israeli government in occupied Jerusalem.
The protests are turning into riots and the demonstrators attempt to break through the barriers in… pic.twitter.com/4S6rMsQ8WK
One settler accused Netanyahu of taking every action "in the direction of the destruction of Israel," adding that the Prime Minister was also responsible for the failures of security that led to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.
"Even if there is war now, every day that the war goes on with him, is a worse day," he stated.
Thousands of demonstrators, both young and elderly, were armed with drums, horns, and placards demanding new elections and a ceasefire to free the last of Israeli captives in Gaza.
Violent clashes began on Gaza Street in Jerusalem. The demonstrators broke through the barricade, and at the same time, while using dispersal measures, the police began a forceful evacuation. pic.twitter.com/bc8Od7va7H
— S p r i n t e r F a m i l y (@SprinterFamily) June 17, 2024
The chant "Down with the tyrant" echoed across the streets, with many wearing a shirt reading: "Stop the war."
Israeli War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz announced on June 9 in a televised address his resignation from the Israeli war cabinet, calling it a "painful decision".
"Leaving the government is a complex and painful decision," he said. He underlined that the Israeli regime was dealing hesitantly with existential issues based on the political interests of a few.
Gantz also acknowledged the failure to secure the release of Israeli captives from Gaza, emphasizing that "true victory prioritizes the return of hostages over political considerations."
Highlighting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's role in obstructing a genuine victory, Gantz admitted that "there will be no quick and easy victory," and warned that "the war will continue for years."
24 hours after returning from Gaza, IOF soldier commits suicide
Israeli news outlets reported, under the "permitted to publish" clause, news of the suicide of a soldier from the Israeli occupation forces following his return from combat in the Gaza Strip.
On Monday, Israeli platforms clarified that the soldier committed suicide just 24 hours after being discharged on leave from Gaza.
The Israeli invasion of Gaza, coupled with intense confrontations with Palestinian Resistance forces, exacerbated psychological crises among Israeli soldiers.
In this context, the Israeli outlet The Jerusalem Post reported on June 15 on the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) experienced by thousands of Israeli soldiers who were fighting in the war on the Gaza Strip.
The newspaper also highlighted the recent case of another soldier from the Israeli Army Reserve who also committed suicide earlier.
The Jerusalem Post quoted the Israeli organization Nafgasim, which focuses on providing comprehensive mental health support for reserve soldiers, confirming that "thousands of soldiers in the Israeli army return from Gaza suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder."
