Shin Bet chief: Violence at protests, in online discourse could take us down a dangerous path

Following the tumultuous protests Tuesday night outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's residence on Aza Street in Jerusalem, Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar arrived at the scene overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday and conducted a tour with security officials.

Bar, at the end of the situation assessment, said, "The violent discourse on social media and some of the scenes witnessed last night in Jerusalem depart from accepted norms of protest, undermine the ability to maintain public order, and may lead to violent clashes with security forces, which can hinder them from fulfilling their duties, and even pose a threat to securing individuals. There is a clear line between legitimate protest and violent and illegal protest. This troubling trend could take us to a dangerous path that must be avoided." 

During the protest, clashes erupted between the demonstrators and the police after they marched from the Knesset area to the President's residence before continuing onto the Prime Minister's residence. One protester reportedly threw a torch toward a police officer. 

Several protesters were detained for questioning. Security forces at the scene did not expect such a large number of protesters, who allegedly attempted to breach the barriers to the Prime Minister's residence.

In response to government officials' statements, an organization that participated in the protest, The Change Generation, stated that they "oppose violence in any form" and that "the incident of throwing the torch towards the police is reprehensible and does not represent the protest." They added, "The attempt to portray the regrettable incident as representative of the protests is unacceptable and stems from an attempt to delegitimize the protest."  

The organization also expressed sympathy for the families of the hostages "in light of the violence they suffered last night from Jerusalem district police officers." They said they will continue protesting "without violence" for the return of the hostages and "for the replacement of the failed government of October 7, and its leader, who is unfit  to bring back the hostages or manage the war."

During the protest at the capital, the police confronted Ayala Metzger, the daughter-in-law of Yoram Metzger, who is still held hostage in Gaza.

Israeli police drag the daughter in law of a hostage in front of Netanyahu’s house in Jerusalem - Third night of massive protests in Israel against Netanyahu and his far right regime.pic.twitter.com/pnVx7OVnMN

— Ashok (@ashoswai) April 3, 2024

She came to protest along with other families of hostages who demand the release of their loved ones who have been held in Gaza for almost half a year - 179 days.

Police attempted to disperse protesters 

Later in the evening, the police attempted to disperse the protesters using a skunk sprayer. Then, one of the protestors lay down underneath it and impeded its progress for about half an hour. He was later arrested and lauded as a "hero" by other protesters. 

In response to the protest, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir said, "Just last week, I warned the head of the Shin Bet about the negligence of the Prime Minister's security, and they dismissed it. I demand that the Shin Bet wakes up immediately and takes the security of the Prime Minister of Israel and his family seriously. A situation where thousands of people breach the area around the Prime Minister's residence and the Shin Bet turns a blind eye is unacceptable."

MK Amir Ohana commented, "From the beginning of our talks, ladies and gentlemen of the Knesset, I cannot ignore last night's events, which add to the growing incitement that characterized the days before October 7 and threatened to tear us apart."

MK Benny Gantz also discussed unity among Israeli society as he commented on the protests on Tuesday night. He began, "The strength of the IDF and the spirit of the warriors are a significant part of our ability to win the war - but the unity of the people is the key to our future.

"We must not accept violence from any side. We must not accept ignoring police instructions and breaking barriers, as we saw last night in Jerusalem. A protest is legitimate, and the pain is also understandable, but the law and the rules must be respected.

"We are brothers, one nation, in one of its most difficult moments - we must not return to October 6," Gantz concluded.

Talik Goeli, mother of police officer Ran Goeli, whose body is detained in Gaza, spoke of the protests later on Wednesday and said, "My child used to guard these demonstrations and said that they spat on his face. Now they are spitting on his face once more."

She said demonstrators had gone too far and were not helping the hostages and their families.