Protests Against Legal Revolution: 250 thousand Demanded Protection of the Police Violence

After a momentous week in the Knesset, during which the presumption of reasonableness was abolished and several controversial bills, including the basic law: Torah study, were passed, citizens of Israel continue to take to the streets in a series of demonstrations against what they view as a threat to the country's democratic values.

For the 30th consecutive week, hundreds of thousands of protestors congregated at the renamed "Democracy Square" (formerly Kaplan Junction) in Tel Aviv. Mayor Ron Huldai ordered the renaming of the junction as demonstrators demanded the preservation of democratic principles. The main rally witnessed powerful speeches, including one from Professor Yaakov Frankel, the former governor of the Bank of Israel.

As night fell, the peaceful protest turned somewhat chaotic when fireworks were set off into the air, prompting police intervention. Later, protestors blocked movement at the Halacha interchange to the north and the Kibbutz Galvoit interchange to the south. The police eventually evacuated the demonstrators at the Halacha interchange using horse-mounted officers, and the lanes were reopened to traffic. Tel Aviv alone saw an astounding turnout of approximately 170,000 people.

In response to alleged incidents of police violence against protesters, demonstrators displayed photographs of the officers involved. In an unexpected turn, the police announced their intention to summon those displaying the photos for questioning. This move was widely criticized, with the student protest and the Civil Rights Association condemning the investigation and defending the protesters' right to expose acts of violence.

The struggle headquarters leading the demonstrations expressed grave concerns about the direction in which the Israeli government is heading, fearing a concentration of power in the Supreme Court and the erosion of democratic values. Protest leaders stated their determination to intensify the demonstrations until Israel is restored to a full-fledged democracy.

The demonstrations extended beyond Tel Aviv, with protests planned in numerous locations across the country, including Haifa, Beer Sheva, Jerusalem, Kfar Saba, Rosh Pina, Herzliya, Modi'in, Karkur Junction, Goma Junction, and more. Each gathering aimed to voice the citizens' demands for safeguarding democracy and protecting the people's rights.

In the past week, the protests have witnessed multiple actions, such as the establishment of a "city of tents" outside the Knesset building in Jerusalem and the blockading of entrance roads to the parliament. A demonstration in Tel Aviv resulted in clashes with the police, leading to injuries to at least 18 protesters. The Ayalon lanes were also blocked by demonstrators for several hours until police intervention.

As tensions remain high, the Israeli police's approach to handling the protests has come under scrutiny. The investigations opened against protesters who pointed out police violence have caused outrage, with critics arguing that it diverts attention from the real issue of alleged police misconduct.

As the demonstrations show no signs of abating, the government faces mounting pressure to address the concerns of its citizens and find a resolution to the ongoing political and legal upheaval.