Tel Aviv: Two Israeli police officers were injured, on Monday evening, in Tel Aviv, while 5 demonstrators were arrested when the security forces attempted to break up a demonstration by those who reject a government plan to reform the judiciary, according to Hebrew media.
The official broadcaster said that clashes broke out between the police and the demonstrators, who tried to block Ayalon Street in central Tel Aviv.
She added that the police used waste water carts to prevent the demonstrators from reaching the main street.
Two policemen were wounded when the demonstrators threw bottles at the security forces, while the police fired stun grenades at the protesters, according to the same source.
For its part, the Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth said that the police arrested 5 demonstrators at the scene.
It added that clashes took place between supporters and opponents of the “Judicial Reform” plan near Ayalon Street.
She explained that there was an exchange of insults between the two parties, before supporters of “judicial reform” threw bottles at the demonstrators.
Earlier Monday evening, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a speech a temporary freeze on voting on a package of legislation to pass the controversial “judicial reform” plan and start a dialogue with the opposition, which was welcomed by the latter’s leaders.
On Sunday evening, Netanyahu sacked Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a day following the latter called on the government to stop the plan to “reform the judiciary.” As a result, Israel witnessed massive nightly protests that continued until the dawn hours of Monday.
For the past 12 weeks, tens of thousands of Israelis have been demonstrating once morest the “judicial reform” plan supported by the Netanyahu government, which includes amendments that limit the powers of the Supreme Court (the highest judicial authority) and give the government the power to appoint judges.
(Anatolia)