Israeli police arrested at least 18 people after clashes broke out during protests against the war with Iran, highlighting growing internal tensions as the conflict increasingly reshapes the country’s political climate.
Authorities said 13 arrests were made in Tel Aviv and five in Haifa, with additional demonstrations reported in Jerusalem and Beersheba. The protests mark a notable shift, as anti-government groups joined demonstrations that had previously been led largely by left-wing activists.
In Haifa, around 100 protesters gathered waving Israeli flags and chanting slogans against the war. One banner read: “Millions of children are growing up in shelters.” Tensions escalated when some participants attempted to block a road, prompting police to declare the protest unlawful and move in with arrests. Footage from the scene suggested some detainees were not actively obstructing traffic at the time.
In Tel Aviv, police dispersed another protest at Habima Square, citing wartime regulations that limit public gatherings to 50 people. Authorities said there was a “real danger to human life,” justifying the decision to break up the demonstration on orders from district police commander Tzachi Sharabi.
After the protest ended, border police were seen forcefully pushing participants who were leaving the area. In one incident, a protester was grabbed by the shirt and thrown to the ground. Reports also indicated that police physically confronted Hadash-Ta’al leader Ayman Odeh, despite his parliamentary immunity.
The unrest underscores a widening divide within Israel, where the war with Iran is no longer only a military issue but an increasingly polarizing domestic one. As the conflict drags on, pressure on the government is building from both security concerns and growing public dissent.