Video: Police Blast Water Cannons Against Protesters in Tel Aviv
23:05 GMT 05.07.2023 (Updated: 00:48 GMT 06.07.2023)
© AP Photo / Ohad Zwigenberg
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TEL AVIV (Sputnik) - Israeli police used water cannons to disperse protesters who had blocked the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv in response to the removal of the city's police chief, a Sputnik correspondent reported on Wednesday.
At the time, police were attempting to forcefully push back the crowd gathered at an intersection near the governmental building a few hours after Tel Aviv's District Police Commander Ami Eshed announced he was stepping down. Eshed had explained the decision came as a result of "failing to live up to expectations at the ministerial level."
Protesters had erected barricades and lit fires on Tel Aviv's main highway. One of the demonstrators was injured during a confrontation with the police. The victim subsequently received medical assistance, the correspondent said, detailing that Israeli officials were able to force protesters from the area with a combination of water cannon use and mounted police units.
The Israeli police began detaining protesters on Tel Aviv's main highway, who refused to disperse for several hours. About 10 people have already been detained, the correspondent reported.
Tel Aviv, the main highway is blocked both sides, north and south. Bonfires on the highway and fireworks on the sky. Netanyahu will not succeed in his attempt to pass the judicial overhaul🚨
— Josh Drill (@drill_josh) July 5, 2023
Credit: Aviv Atlas pic.twitter.com/7thVbuDaL6
Some protesters were seen making no effort to run away to avoid water cannons. The city's main highway and nearby streets remain blocked. Hundreds of police officers were dispatched to aid in the containment efforts.
— Judy Maltz (@MaltzJudy) July 5, 2023
A group of activists laid down on the highway at the culmination of the protest, forcing law enforcement to lift them from the ground. Many protesters were showing resistance, leading to rough detentions, all while a water cannon was used against the activists laying on the ground, the correspondent reported.
In March, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai removed Eshed from office amid mass protests against the country's judicial reform, citing his refusal to implement tough measures to combat riots and block roads.
The resignation was blocked by Israeli Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who questioned the legality of the decision.
