Police clash violently with anti-overhaul protesters seeking to blockade Knesset

Hours of violent clashes erupted around the Knesset in Jerusalem Monday morning as protesters against the government’s planned drastic overhaul of the judiciary blocked access roads to the building and skirmished with police in what coalition members decried as “a siege” of parliament.

Police in Jerusalem deployed water cannons to clear protesters from roads leading to the Knesset, where lawmakers arrived to deliberate the coalition’s contentious “reasonableness” bill ahead of its final votes.

At least 15 people were arrested in the violence, which increased in intensity as coalition lawmakers began making speeches inside the building ahead of voting on the bill. Police said they were mostly arrested for blocking roads and disturbing public order, with one detained for biting an officer. READ MORE