Tel Aviv police arrested two people on Saturday on suspicion of having attacked each other before a scheduled protest at Habima Square, per a police statement.
Police were called to the location after the suspects, a 45-year-old man from Ramat Gan and a 75-year-old man from Kiryat Tivon, were allegedly seen assaulting one another, with one using pepper spray. They were both taken to the police station for further questioning.
KAN News reported that the 45-year-old man, a right-wing activist, was the one who sprayed pepper spray on the protesters gathered at Habima. According to Ma’ariv, he is a well-known social media personality who regularly attends protests and interviews protesters.
The event, which began shortly after the arrests, included a speech by former Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon, according to KAN News. He claimed that the current Israeli government is an active « threat to the Zionist vision, » and that « it is our duty to overthrow it. »
Earlier on Saturday, seven protesters were arrested in front of Education Minister Yoav Kisch’s home in Kfar Saba, according to Walla. They were part of a larger group of approximately twenty who arrived on Saturday morning at the minister’s home, reportedly dressed in Qatari clothing, referencing suspicions of Qatari involvement in the Prime Minister’s Office operations.
The protesters brought speakers and played music loudly outside Kisch’s home. Police responded to neighbors’ noise complaints, according to Walla, and issued two separate orders to disperse the protesters. When they did not adhere to police instructions, seven of the protesters were arrested and taken to the Kfar Saba police station for questioning.
