Thousands of demonstrators massed on Thursday night near the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem to protest against the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Several hundred pro-Netanyahu protesters held a counter-rally nearby.
As an 11 p.m. deadline to end both events passed. police began to forcibly evacuate those gathered, including using riot dispersal methods such as water cannons.
Channel 12 news reported that five people were arrested, though some of them reportedly for selling alcohol to demonstrators without a permit.
Police initially sent out a statement saying that a confirmed coronavirus carrier had been removed from the protest, but later rescinded the claim and said the protester was no longer required to isolate.
Anti-Netanyahu protesters have been holding regular rallies outside his official residence on Jerusalem’s Balfour Street, calling on the premier to resign due to his indictment on corruption charges. Rallies against Netanyahu’s economic policies during the coronavirus pandemic have also been held, though mostly in Tel Aviv.
The large counter-protest in support of Netanyahu was the first of its kind since the start of the recent wave of demonstrations against the premier. READ MORE