Driver who accelerated toward anti-government protesters to be kept in custody
Suspect accused of endangering lives, reckless driving, obstructing and assaulting a police officer
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A man accused of threateningly accelerating his car in the direction of anti-government protesters on Saturday night had his remand extended Sunday, as police continued their investigation of the incident.
Masses of Israelis participated in the protest against the government’s efforts to radically remake the country’s justice system, with estimates pointing to 130,000-160,000 in Tel Aviv and tens of thousands more around the country.
As the main rally in Tel Aviv ended, hundreds of protesters marched down to the Ayalon Highway, clashing with cops who tried — unsuccessfully — to prevent them from blocking the thoroughfare.
The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court extended the remand of the suspect by three days on suspicion that he endangered lives on a public road when he accelerated toward the protesters.
He is also suspected by police of reckless driving, obstructing a police officer under aggravated circumstances and assaulting a police officer in the performance of their duties.
The suspect claims that the incident was a “misunderstanding,” and that he did not intend to harm anyone.
אופס, על זה כנראה שכחו לספר: המשטרה תביא הבוקר להארכת מעצר תושב חולון בן 23 שחשוד שנסע במהירות על איילון שהיה לעבר מפגינים ונעצר ע"י שוטרים בנשקים שלופים. "אנשים קפצו הצידה, הוא ממש האיץ לעברנו", סיפר אחד המפגינים. "בנס לא נפגע אף אחד".
החשוד מכחיש וטוען שנכנס ללחץ. pic.twitter.com/YdZ9Q3EQ71— Josh Breiner (@JoshBreiner) February 26, 2023
In all, 21 protesters were arrested on Saturday, with five remaining in police custody overnight. The remaining arrestees were released on Sunday, Ynet reported.
According to the Haaretz daily, three rioters were held in custody for sitting on the Ayalon Highway and refusing to move, and one was arrested for biting a police officer.
“We were a group of about 40 demonstrators protesting on the Ayalon North,” one participant told Ynet.
“We passed all the cars that were stopped, and we stood behind them. Next to us was a line of police. Around 10:30 p.m. we saw a white car with one headlight driving toward us from the south at 100 kilometers per hour. Behind it was a police car with its lights flashing, so it’s likely the driver had broken through a police checkpoint.
“People began to scream, telling people to move because he wasn’t slowing down. Police and demonstrators moved. It was lucky that no one was injured… the police drew their weapons and pursued him,” the witness recounted, and then asserted that the driver’s actions were intentional.
In response to the highway invasion, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the events “show that this is a protest of anarchists,” accused the demonstrators of an “illegal rampage” and said he expected police to show “zero tolerance.”
It was the eighth consecutive week of demonstrations, and included gatherings in cities and towns across the country. Haifa hosted a particularly large demonstration, with media estimating some 30,000 participants. Other protests in Jerusalem, Herzliya, Beersheba and other cities drew thousands more.
The coalition’s plans to severely weaken the judiciary sparked the mass protests, which include warnings of the potential for extensive economic and social harm from top public figures including jurists, economists, business leaders, tech entrepreneurs and reservists from top military units.
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report
The Times of Israel Community.