Thousands of citizens of Israel protested on Saturday evening, December 26, outside far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence on Balfour Street in Jerusalem as well as at multiple sites across the country. Several reports by protestors claimed that the premier’s supporters attacked them.
Around 4,000 protesters gathered in Paris Square, in Jerusalem, demanding Netanyahu’s resignation, in the 27th consecutive week of rallies against the premier. Protesters held signs urging Netanyahu to “Go.” Earlier on Saturday, several hundred people clashed with police outside the residence and six people were arrested. The demonstration began earlier than usual in an attempt by protesters to surprise the police and circumvent its street barriers which are usually erected later in the evening.
Several hundred people protest outside the compound housing far-right Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence on Balfour Street in Jerusalem, Saturday, December 27. Note the black curtain that had been erected behind the entrance gate which protestors called to bring down. The small sign in center right reads: “Private lockdown? Civil rebellion!” (Photo: Crime Minister)
Despite police preparations, protesters were able to reach and block the main entrance to the prime minister’s residence, which has been covered by a black curtain, chanting at police forces to “remove the curtain.” The protesters’ intention had been to reach and block all the entrances to the official residence, which have been closed over the past month in an effort to minimize protests. They have nicknamed their operation “The Siege on Balfour.”
“False arrests and harming journalists have become the new routine of the Jerusalem police,” the Black Flag Movement said in response to the protest clashes. “We call on the incoming police chief to announce that his first step in cleaning up the Israel Police will be to remove Jerusalem District Police Chief Doron Yedid from the service in disgrace.”
Saturday night’s latest protests took place in the shadow of approaching elections. The Knesset dissolved itself on Tuesday, December 22, after weeks of wrangling between Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz. Other protests took place throughout the country, including near the prime minister’s private home in Caesarea and in plazas, at intersections and along highway overpasses all over the country.
Several incidents of violence towards protesters were reported. In Rishon Lezion a man threatened demonstrators with a knife. In Givat Ada, near Caesarea, two Netanyahu supporters were filmed by Black Flag activists assaulting several older protesters, before being chased away by several other protesters who rushed to defend them. The assailants, a 17-year-old resident of Pardes Hanna and a 52-year-old woman from Zichron Ya’acov, were later detained and taken in for questioning by the Israel Police.
Last week, protests were also held at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv and outside Sheba Medical Center in Ramat Gan, where Netanyahu received Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine on live television Saturday evening, December 19, being the first Israeli to be vaccinated. Smaller rallies also took place on highway overpasses and at intersections around the country, as well as outside the Rosh Ha’ayin home of Defense Minister Benny Gantz. Dozens of people protested in Caesarea on Friday afternoon, December 25, near the private residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for a formal investigation of the premier in a scandal surrounding a $2 billion submarine deal with Germany. Police arrested one of the leaders of the protest, Roey Peleg, 35, on suspicion of “causing a public disturbance” after the demonstrators conducted a short march that was allegedly not approved in advance by police.
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