Violence erupts as Israelis call for elections in Tel Aviv protests

A demonstration against the government, which featured political statements from senior officials and reported violent clashes with the police, was held Saturday night on Kaplan Street in Tel Aviv.

About 20,000 demonstrators came to the demonstration in Kaplan, and more were present at about 30 early demonstrations across the country. In Kaplan, the former head of the Intelligence Branch, Amos Malka, spoke, calling for elections to be brought forward.

"They tell us - elections now? In the middle of a war? We say - yes. There are prices to be paid, but the price of this messianic government remaining in power with an incompetent leader at its head is many times higher."

Malka added, "The series of intelligence, operational, and political-political failures is unfathomable and unforgivable. The intelligence and operational ranks, up to senior officials and commanding officers, failed, took responsibility, and will learn from past mistakes. Not like officials in the political echelons, certainly not the Prime Minister. Since October 7, he has been managing a war of political survival without any red lines."

Israel Police stated on Saturday regarding the violent clashes between protesters and police officers in the area, saying: This evening, the Israel Police was deployed in large quantities for security and maintaining public order as part of a planned protest.

The Israel Police approved the request to hold the protest this evening, in accordance with the conditions established with the organizers, at 20 Kaplan Street, Tel Aviv, on a lawn near the Sarona compound. Part of Kaplan Street was closed to the protestors, with the aim of allowing a balance between the freedom to protest legitimately and the freedom of movement while minimally affecting routine.

Several demonstrators gathered illegally at the Kaplan intersection and began to violate the order and confront the police, breaking through police fences, throwing smoke grenades, and setting off a gas grenade, near the Azrieli Mall, all this contrary to the approved protest.

Following this, a commanding police officer in the area announced that the demonstration was illegal and that they should clear the intersection. In light of the fact that some of them did not obey the police's instructions, a protester was arrested for throwing a smoke grenade, violating public order, and disobeying orders from a police officer.

We take the violations of the order, which cause the police to divert forces engaged in security tasks and maintain public safety, very seriously. We will act with zero tolerance towards those who disrupt the order and will not listen to the police's instructions.

The Israel Police considers the right to protest a cornerstone in a democratic country and allows protests as long as they are held within the framework of the law. At the same time, the police will not allow disturbances of any kind, damage to freedom of movement, or any behavior that may endanger the safety of the public.