Israelis stage emergency protests after Yoav Gallant's firing

Violent clashes broke out between police forces and protesters as the police began to remove the demonstration on Ayalon Highway, after more than five hours.

 Thousands of Israelis gather in Tel Aviv in protest following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on March 26, 2023. (photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)
Thousands of Israelis gather in Tel Aviv in protest following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on March 26, 2023.
(photo credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

Thousands of Israelis swarmed cities throughout the country Sunday night following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

This follows Gallant's Saturday night speech where he urged for a halt to the judicial reform legislation, which he said was causing severe divisions within Israeli society and in Israel's security sector.

Violent clashes broke out between police forces and protesters as Israel Police forces began to disperse the protest on Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv early on Monday morning, according to N12 News. Three police officers were injured in the clashes.

Thousands of protesters in Tel Aviv disrupted traffic by burning tires and placing barriers, stones and irons on the road outside the Kiriya on Kaplan junction and Ayalon Highway, according to a police statement.

Throughout most of the protest, police forces were not present directly at the scene, instead securing the perimeter of the demonstration and enabling the demonstration to take place. 

Ayalon was blocked in both directions after dozens of bonfires were lit in the middle of the street. Because of the protest and ensuing traffic jams, the police closed off multiple roads throughout central Tel Aviv and asked the public to avoid Ayalon Highway. 

After over five hours, massive police forces arrived on the scene and used two water cannons, mounted horse units and and other riot dispersal measures to remove the protesters who had blocked the traffic on Ayalon Highway.

Protesters hit police officers with flags and threw bottles, stones and other objects at them, in the process injuring three officers.

 The Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv is seen filled with traffic amid an emergency protest following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on March 26, 2023. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)
The Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv is seen filled with traffic amid an emergency protest following Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on March 26, 2023. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

Labor MK Naama Lazimi and her team were among the protesters. Lazimi later claimed that her advisors were beaten by police officers and sprayed with a water cannon, calling the police actions "extreme violence."

Around a thousand protesters gathered on Azza Street in Jerusalem, where Netanyahu's official residence is located.

Protesters breached through security measures, before they were stopped. After clashes erupted between police forces and protesters near Netanyahu's residence, the police used a water cannon to push protesters back.

Thousands of protesters marched towards the Knesset and protested in front of it, while the discussion about the judicial selection bill was still underway. The discussion was later postponed.

The protesters lit a bonfire in front of the Knesset, while the police did not attempt to disperse the protest.

In Modi'in protesters gathered at Shilat junction and blocked traffic there. Clashes developed between protesters and supporters of the reforms, including the use of pepper spray.

Around 2,500 protesters swarmed the city of Haifa, blocking traffic on Horev junction, while 2,000 protesters gathered in Beersheba and lit a fire in the middle of the junction at the city's entrance, Israeli media outlets reported.

A man was arrested on suspicion of running over a protester during a demonstration at the Karkur intersection on Highway 65, early on Monday morning. The protester was lightly injured and was taken to Hillel Yaffe Hospital in Hadera.

Protests at politician's houses

Around 300 people gathered outside Gallant's home to express support to the recently fired politician, Ynet reported.

On Sunday morning, reservists from Brothers in Arms protested near National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's home in Kiryat Arba.

The protestors put up giant signs reading "stop! Border ahead, entry to a dictatorship" and "it's too big for you" with a drawing of Ben-Gvir inside a military boot. The protesters also blocked the road at the entrance to Kiryat Arba.

Two protesters were arrested after police said they tried to break into Ben-Gvir's house.

Protesters also gathered outside the home of Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter, Tourism Minister Haim Katz, Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli and Likud MK Danny Danon. Around 2,000 protesters also gathered outside Likud MK Gila Gamliel's home.

 Thousands of Israeli protesters gathered in Tel Aviv following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on March 26, 2023. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)
Thousands of Israeli protesters gathered in Tel Aviv following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, on March 26, 2023. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)

Dozens of protesters were also gathered outside Economy Minister Nir Barkat's home in Jerusalem, one of whom was arrested after police declared the protest illegal, N12 reported.

"The prime minister and Nir Barkat are choosing to ignore the warnings of the security system and economists."

Protest organizers

"The prime minister and Nir Barkat are choosing to ignore the warnings of the security system and economists," said the protest organizers.

"They are advancing legislation that will break up the army and the Israeli economy. They prove that they don't care about the State of Israel, its security or the economy. Barkat and [Benjamin] Netanyahu, and all the MKs, if you don't stop, you will be remembered to history as those who tried to destroy Israel, the IDF and the Zionist project."

Around 300 protesters gathered near the home of MK Yuli Edelstein in Herzliya Pituah. The protesters said they came to "help Edelstein make the right decision" after the MK voiced support for Gallant's call to stop the legislation, Ynet reported.

Other protesters gathered near the home of Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, some of whom held a sign that read "Everything you have is thanks to the High Court of Justice."

This is a developing story.