Demonstration in Ayalon Lane Turns into Anarchy: Protester Hit by Escaping Vehicle
A peaceful demonstration in Ayalon Lane took a turn for the worse when a vehicle attempting to escape the roadblock set up by leftist protesters drove recklessly and hit one of the demonstrators. Fortunately, the protester sustained only minor injuries and did not require medical treatment.
The vehicle involved in the incident came to a halt a few meters away, with its windows smashed. Meanwhile, another vehicle that managed to escape the commotion was targeted by the protesters, who damaged it in frustration.
The initial incident was captured on camera by Itai Shikman, a reporter from Here 11.
The video footage, shared on Twitter, shows the car running over the protesters in Ayalon Lane. The incident sparked outrage and drew attention to the escalating chaos.
The police promptly responded to the situation, stating, “A few minutes ago, the driver of a car drove through the protesters on the Ayalon road towards the south. Police arrested the driver.”
However, the unrest continued as the demonstrators, some of whom had set fire inside the lanes, began shooting fireworks. As a result, traffic in the area came to a standstill for several hours, leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
The incident also prompted a response from Bezalel Smotrich, the Chairman of Religious Zionism and Minister of Finance. He criticized the law enforcement system and the police for losing control over the situation. Smotrich blamed the anarchists, who repeatedly block Ayalon Lane, and highlighted the selective enforcement when it comes to different demonstrations.
Smotrich stated, “There is no reason that justifies the selective enforcement that manifests itself in the use of large forces and arrests in the demonstrations of the right, ultra-Orthodox, settlers or the Ethiopian community compared to the demonstrations of the left, which include lighting bonfires and blocking major roads without any response. This is not democracy!”
He emphasized the need to strengthen rights and freedoms, particularly the right to equality, to safeguard Israeli democracy.
The incident in Ayalon Lane serves as a reminder of the volatile situation in some demonstrations, where clashes between protesters and authorities can result in dangerous outcomes. Authorities must prioritize public safety while ensuring that peaceful protests can take place within the bounds of the law.