The commander of the Tel Aviv district, Superintendent Amichai Ashad, today (Friday) signed the license for tomorrow’s large demonstration by those opposed to the reform of the judicial system. In the document published by the police on the eve of Shabbat, it was stated that “there is a ban on holding a procession before, during or at the end of the demonstration.” The demonstration license also states that “it is prohibited to go down to the road, block intersections, or cause any disruption to traffic during the demonstration in the Bhima square.”
Ahead of the demonstration, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben Gabir said that there is one law for all – the ultra-Orthodox, the Arabs, the settlers and the leftists. “There will be no first-class demonstration and second-class demonstration,” he said. In response to Liat Regev’s question on the “Becham Hayom Shishi” channel in Kan Network B if there will be splashes at the demonstration, Ben Gabir replied that the police should be asked. On his visit to the south in the last two days, the minister said that he will take care of the legislation and the budget, that the police must raise the level in their war on crime and emphasized that the Bedouin residents will receive equal treatment.
Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, a demonstration is planned tomorrow in front of the Jerusalem Supreme Court. The protesters will march to the Paris Square area and pass near Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu’s house on Gaza Street. Another demonstration will be held in front of the President’s House.
Last night it was reported on the evening news in Khan 11 that former Prime Minister Yair Lapid and former Defense Minister Benny Gantz asked to speak at the planned demonstration – and were refused. It was also reported that the opposition was debating whether to organize a separate demonstration, to be held alongside the one that will take place this weekend. Lapid’s party announced that Yesh Atid members of the Knesset and activists will attend the demonstration.
The demonstration against the government – and the controversy: the leaders of the opposition asked to give a speech – and were refused, the opposition debated whether to organize a separate demonstration for the one that will be held on Motzash@gilicohen10#The evening news pic.twitter.com/43Po3DPj3a
— here news (@kann_news) January 12, 2023
Earlier yesterday it was reported that the police held a situation assessment with Minister Ben Gabir. The police assured the existence of the protest and claimed that it is the right of every citizen to express his position, but at the same time, from the intelligence picture, there was a fear of disturbances. The police said that “in order to be able to ensure public peace and the full existence of the protest, the Israel Police is back and calls on the organizers of the protest and the participants to maintain order and allow the existence of the protests according to the law.”
Last Saturday, a march left from Hama Square to the Tel Aviv Museum, where there was a demonstration supported by several organizations. A second procession left later in the direction of Ze’ev Citadel, which the organizers called the “torch march against the government”.