Demonstration leaders claimed on Thursday that there was an attempt to run over an anti-judicial reform protester at Bet Yehoshua Junction near Netanya. "As the president warned yesterday, we are one step away from civil war," they said in a statement. "The one stirring up passions is Benjamin Netanyahu - he is responsible."
Israel Police opened an investigation into the incident, according to the Police spokesperson. Per the Israel Police press statement, a vehicle was seen driving onto an island where protesters were standing. They also confirmed that there were no casualties.
זה נהיה אלים: תיעוד - רכב עולה על אי תנועה ודוהר לעבר מפגינים בצומת בשרון(אורלי אלקלעי) pic.twitter.com/8zN7NqYRK9
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) March 16, 2023
The police later announced they had detained a resident of Netanya in his 40s, who was questioned and later released under restrictive conditions.
Tear gas and Ayalon highway blockage
A taxi driver got out of his car and attacked protesters with pepper spray in Tel Aviv, according to KAN News. The protesters reacted by throwing him to the ground.
A number of doctors, who were among the protesters, then treated the injuries the taxi driver sustained during the fall.
Protesters blocked the exit off the Ayalon highway during judicial reform demonstrations on Thursday morning, according to Israeli media.
Israeli media also reported that security forces with water cannons were en route to the Ayalon highway to disperse the crowds. 10 protesters at the Ayalon highway were arrested, according to Israel Police.
Protest organizers reported two arrests at Kfar HaYarok interchange north of Tel Aviv. The demonstrators were reportedly arrested for disturbing the peace. One of those arrested was reportedly identified as Prof. David Enoch, a law professor at Tel Aviv University.
Protesters outside the British Embassy were sprayed with tear gas, Israeli media reported on Thursday morning. Demonstration organizers also reported that three people were detained on Yaakov Dori Street in Tel Aviv following an incident involving pepper spray.
Later on Thursday, police officers on horses attempted to forcibly remove protesters who sat down on the highway.
One protester was arrested on Tel Aviv's Pinchas Sapir street, after she attacked a police officer who had arrived at the scene because of a violent incident between the protester and a motorcyclist.