At least eight right-wing pro-government counter-demonstrators were arrested at anti-Netanyahu protestors in Jerusalem on Thursday, i24 News reports.
Thousands turned out to demonstrate against Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside his residence in Balfour Street in Jerusalem over his government’s handling of the coronavirus and corruption charges, of which he is facing trial for.
The right-wing thugs, believed to be Beitar Jerusalem supporting football hooligans, descended upon the anti-Netanyahu protests and reportedly physically attacked protestors and journalists, claiming the media to be ‘left-wing’ and biased against the prime minister.
During the Tel Aviv march a group of infiltrators, allegedly from the violent Jerusalem mafia La Familia, attacked protesters with fists, sticks & tear gas. The police was absent, reports @ItayBlumental. "Lots of coughs and tears." pic.twitter.com/tA6cbDYyp2
— Noga Tarnopolsky (@NTarnopolsky) July 28, 2020
Several of the pro-Netanyahu fanatics were arrested but later released.
One protester who wished to remain anonymous claimed that she was attacked by the pro-Netanyahu agitators after she and her partner left to return home.
#Israeli #Police Arrest 55 Anti- #Netanyahu Protesters https://t.co/K0ps7NODec via @PalestineChron pic.twitter.com/4fvyps7ZMq
— @palestinechron (@PalestineChron) July 25, 2020
She told Israeli daily Haaretz: “Suddenly on Gaza Street we ran into them. There were around 20 Beitar fans that cursed and attacked everyone coming back from the protest.”
“Suddenly they noticed us and started to follow us, spitting and threatening. One of them tried to take my phone. My partner shoved him. They kicked the car next to us as a threat.”
Far-right football hooligans 'La Familia' from Beitar Jerusalem out on the streets tonight opposing anti-Netanyahu demohttps://t.co/eYYB0DUxIM
— Brighton BDS (@BrightonBDS) July 23, 2020
55 demonstrators were later arrested in an attempt to clear the area.
Police used high-pressure water cannons to disperse the crowds after midnight.
(MEMO, PC, Social Media)
