Police disperse all anti-overhaul protesters blocking Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv

Matti Friedman to J’lem rally: We risk turning into Lebanon, but won’t let it happen

Author Matti Friedman speaks at an anti-judicial overhaul rally in Jerusalem on July 8, 2023. (Screenshot: Protecting the Shared Home)

At the rally outside the President’s Residence in Jerusalem, where thousands have turned out for a larger-than-usual protest, Canadian-born Israeli author and journalist Matti Friedman says Israel, potentially, could turn into a failed state like Lebanon, torn apart by corruption and internal division. But, he insists, this will not be allowed to happen.

He recalls his military service at an outpost in the southern Lebanon security zone, when he and his colleagues looked out over a country that had fallen apart, and where “a collection of groups were fighting over the spoils of a collapsed state… We didn’t realize that this could happen to Israel.”

He lambasts the role of Itamar Ben Gvir, a figure from “the violent margins of Jewish extremism” as the minister responsible for the police, and describes Bezalel Smotrich as a minister from “the messianist edge of the settlement movement who controls the nation’s purse strings and the Civil Administration.”

Also citing the political cracks that the overhaul has created within the IDF, Friedman says, “Everyone who knows Lebanon knows where this can lead.”

“But there is a difference between us and Lebanon,” he says, “and the difference is us. We, all the citizens, all the ethnic groups, all the streams that believe in the joint good…. all of us born into a national movement that created miracles and that taught us that reality is strong but that our will is stronger.”

“Lebanon is a possibility. But we will not let it happen,” says Friedman. “We see a different future and that is the future that will be.”

Also speaking in Jerusalem, former justice minister Tzipi Livni castigates the coalition for “not only cutting off the branch of equality” on which Israel rests, but “poisoning the roots” of Israeli morality.

She also denounces Jewish extremists “harming Arabs and burning Palestinian villages,” actions which “shame the entire Jewish people.”

These kinds of actions are “a small indication of the state they have in mind for us,” she says.

Former foreign and justice minister Tzipi Livni speaks at an anti-judicial overhaul rally in Jerusalem on July 8, 2023. (Screenshot: Protecting the Shared Home)

Israel must place “borders before corruption. And borders that will give security and peace. Facing supremacy and fascism, we’ll put morality,” she says.

Livni says the current domestic rift “can be healed” but not by softened drafts of legislation that “paper over the cracks.”

Rather, she urges that the Knesset legislate the sentence from the Declaration of Independence that the Jewish state “will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex.”

That commitment covers “the widest common ground,” she says, even though there are those in this government who do not endorse it. But if they are not prepared to legislate to this effect, “there will be a government that will do so. And if those are our principles, we can live together,” she says, “and thrive.”

Hundreds gather outside home of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant

Anti-judicial overhaul protesters gather outside the home of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant in the northern town of Amikam, July 8, 2023. (Courtesy/Amos Gil)

Hundreds of protesters are gathering outside the home of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

Protesters plan to pull an all-nighter by the minister’s home, in the northern town of Amikam.

Police say all roads closed due to anti-overhaul protests in Tel Aviv reopened

Israelis protesting against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, attempt to block the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv, July 8, 2023. (Courtesy/Gilad Furst)

Police say that all roads closed in the Tel Aviv area for the weekly anti-judicial overhaul protests have been reopened.

A police spokeswoman adds that officers, using water cannons, have cleared all protesters who attempted to block the Ayalon Highway.

The main thoroughfare is now open in both directions, she adds.

Motorcyclist hits protesters on Ayalon Highway

Footage published by Hebrew-language media outlets shows a motorcyclist hitting protesters who are blocking the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv.

The reports claim that the motorcyclist pulled a knife on the protesters.

The man who was hit by the motorcycle is in good condition, the Kan public broadcaster says.

The motorcyclist has not been detained, the report adds.

תיעוד: רוכב אופנוע פוגע במפגין באיילון@yonatanraveh11 pic.twitter.com/an93tVBWhd

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) July 8, 2023

Police detain two anti-overhaul protesters in Tel Aviv

Israeli police use a water cannon to disperse demonstrators blocking a freeway during a protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system in Tel Aviv, July 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Police say officers have detained two people at the anti-judicial overhaul rally in Tel Aviv for “disorderly conduct.”

“Dozens of protesters blocked the vehicle that was taking the detainees from the scene,” a police spokeswoman says.

Several dozen hold 1st anti-overhaul demonstration in West Bank’s Maaleh Adumim

Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in the West Bank settlement city of Maaleh Adumim, July 8, 2023. (Amanda Borschel-Dan/Times of Israel)

Several dozen protest against the judicial overhaul in a first demonstration in the West Bank settlement city of Maaleh Adumim.

The protest, which takes place across from the city’s central police station, is accompanied by a much smaller counter-protest of some dozen in favor of the overhaul legislation.

The settlement of some 40,000 is a traditional Likud stronghold.

Two police vehicles and half a dozen officers are keeping order between the two groups as the pro-legislation side uses heavy amplification to drown out the chants of “democracy” from the larger anti-overhaul protest.

“You are traitors, you’re from Azaria,” says one pro-overhaul protestor, referring to the neighboring Palestinian village.

Police using water cannon to disperse protesters blocking Ayalon Highway

Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in Tel Aviv, July 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Tsafrir Abayov)

Footage shared by Haaretz reporter Bar Peleg shows police using a water cannon to disperse protesters who are blocking the Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv.

In Herzliya, police say officers have detained one person for lighting a flare.

מכת״זית הופעלה על המפגינים שחוסמים את איילון צפון, שוטרי יס״מ החלו לפנות בכוח את המוחים שהתיישבו על הכביש pic.twitter.com/mtlEoNMZNj

— Bar Peleg (@bar_peleg) July 8, 2023

איילון דרום בהרצליה pic.twitter.com/YU2DQAVIO3

— לירי בורק שביט (@lirishavit) July 8, 2023

https://twitter.com/FrilingYonat/status/1677754385072365569?s=20

Anti-overhaul protesters in Tel Aviv block Ayalon highway

Protesters at the main anti-judicial overhaul rally in Tel Aviv are blocking the Ayalon Highway at several locations.

Police say they are dealing with protesters who entered the main thoroughfare at the Rokach, HaHalacha, and Arlozorov interchanges.

Footage shows dozens of people on the highway. Another clip shows protesters blocking the Ayalon Highway at the Shivat Hakohavim Interchange near Herzliya.

“Police forces are preparing to disperse [the protesters],” a police spokeswoman says.

https://twitter.com/bar_peleg/status/1677749907082321920?s=20

https://twitter.com/JoshBreiner/status/1677749185532108801?s=20

Protest organizers claim 180,000 rallying in Tel Aviv

Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in Tel Aviv, July 8, 2023. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg)

Some 180,000 demonstrators are taking part in the Tel Aviv rally against the government’s far-reaching plans to change the judiciary, the organizers claim.

Earlier, Israeli company Crowd Solutions estimated that 143,000 were gathered at the main protest on Tel Aviv’s Kaplan Street, according to Channel 13 news.

Tens of thousands more are demonstrating elsewhere in Israel.

Police say anti-overhaul protesters in Herzliya burning tires

Police say that during a rally against the judicial overhaul tonight in the central city of Herzliya, protesters set fire to tires.

“Protestors are blocking Ben Gurion Street, HaRav Kook Street, and HaAtsmaut Street in Herzliya, and burned tires on HaAtsmaut Street at the corner of Weizman Street,” police say in a statement.

There are no immediate reports of arrests.

צמיג בוער במרכז הרצליה pic.twitter.com/vStHewHHi7

— Edan Ring-Bittman | עידן רינג | عيدان رينغ (@EdanRing) July 8, 2023

Some 143,000 estimated at Tel Aviv rally against judicial overhaul

Israelis protest against plans by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to overhaul the judicial system, in Tel Aviv, July 8, 2023. (Courtesy/GIlad Furst)

Some 143,000 demonstrators are taking part in the Tel Aviv rally against the government’s far-reaching plans to change the judiciary, Israeli company Crowd Solutions says in an estimate cited by Channel 13 news.

Tens of thousands more are demonstrating elsewhere in Israel.

Demonstrators are rallying across the country for the 27th weekend of protests against the government’s judicial shakeup, and as the temperature rises on the national conflict over the effort to curb the powers of the justice system.

Protesters voice increasing anger over the coalition’s plan to pass in its first Knesset reading Monday a bill to remove courts’ ability to judge the “reasonableness” of government decisions.

Tonight’s events are a prelude to Tuesday, when demonstrators are planning nationwide protests and disruptions as they vow to fight the legislation with every tool at their disposal.

Anti-overhaul protesters hold rally at Statue of Liberty

Anti-overhaul protesters rally on a boat by the Statue of Liberty in New York, July 7, 2023. (Roi Boshi/Courtesy)

Some 150 protesters sailed to the Statue of Liberty in New York on Friday, in a demonstration against the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul plans.

“We are sending fair winds to fill the sails of freedom and support the fighters for democracy on the front lines,” the organizers say in a statement.

The protesters aboard the M/V Freedom unfurl a banner reading “Must Resist.”

The organizers say that the Statue of Liberty “symbolizes the shared values of Israel and the United States.”

“We won’t let the government of destruction ruin the connection we have with the diaspora. We are here and everywhere. Israel will not be a dictatorship!” they add.

Police deny reports of detention centers at anti-overhaul protest sites

Israelis protest against the judicial overhaul, outside Justice Minister Yariv Levin's home in Modiin, June 6, 2023. (Jonathan Shaul/Flash90)

Police say they have no intention of holding people at detention centers at the sites of the various anti-overhaul protests across the country tonight.

Earlier today, the Kan public broadcaster reported that Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai had ordered to establish detention sites at every large protest.

“In light of incorrect publications that have been spread on social media, it must be clarified that Israel Police are not going to imprison those disturbing the peace in the protest area,” police say in a statement.

The statement adds that Shabtai held an assessment ahead of the protests tonight, now in their 27th week, during which he “clarified the guideline according to which Israel Police allows the right to protest and considers it a cornerstone of a democratic country, but at the same time, will show zero tolerance for rioting, damage to infrastructure and symbols of government, and harm to police officers.”

‘Brothers in Arms’ anti-overhaul group to protest by Gallant’s home overnight

Israeli reserve soldiers and activists protest against the Israeli government's planned judicial overhaul, in Bnei Brak, March 16, 2023. (Flash90)

The anti-overhaul protest movement “Brothers in Arms,” representing members of the reserve army and military veterans, say they will demonstrate outside the home of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant overnight.

“Tonight, we the reservists will come to you in Amikam,” the group says, referring to Gallant’s hometown in northern Israel.

“Chiefs of staff and IDF generals throughout the ages, Mossad commanders, Shin Bet and police commanders will come with us,” Brothers in Arms says.

“Together we will pin our hopes on the defense minister, who has already proven that on his conscience he will not allow damage to Israel’s security and for the nation to be torn apart,” they add.

Earlier this year, Gallant called to pause the judicial overhaul, citing a “tangible danger” to state security, as hundreds of military reservists threatened to stop showing up for duty, in protest of the contentious legislation.

Brothers in Arms say they plan to protest outside Gallant’s home all night, starting from 10 p.m.

Zelensky hails ‘brave’ Ukraine on 500th day of war

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed his country as “brave” on the 500th day of Russia’s invasion, as the war’s toll mounts with eight deaths reported in Russian rocket fire.

Zelensky publishes on social media an undated video clip of a visit to Snake Island in the Black Sea — a symbol of Ukraine’s defiance against Russia.

“Today we are on Snake Island, which will never be conquered by the occupiers, like the whole of Ukraine, because we are the country of the brave,” he says.

“I want to thank from here, from this place of victory, each of our soldiers for these 500 days,” he says in the video, which shows him arriving on the island by boat and leaving flowers.

The UN has documented 9,000 civilian deaths since the start of the war on February 24, 2022, including 500 children, although it estimates the real toll could be significantly higher.

On day 500 of the war, Zelensky visits Snake Island, which Ukraine regained last summer after months of fighting, and after sinking the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. pic.twitter.com/uVYNFyJFNo

— Yaroslav Trofimov (@yarotrof) July 8, 2023

Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi gets full FDA approval, though efficacy questioned

US officials have granted full approval to a closely watched Alzheimer’s drug, clearing the way for Medicare and other insurance plans to begin covering the treatment for people with the brain-robbing disease.

The Food and Drug Administration endorsed the IV drug, Leqembi, for patients with mild dementia and other symptoms caused by early Alzheimer’s disease. It’s the first medicine that’s been convincingly shown to modestly slow the cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s.

Japanese drugmaker Eisai received conditional approval from the FDA in January based on early results suggesting Leqembi worked by clearing a sticky brain plaque linked to the disease.

Eisai studied the drug in people with early or mild disease who were evaluated using a scale measuring memory, thinking and other basic skills. After 18 months, those who got Leqembi declined more slowly — a difference of less than half a point on the scale — than participants who received a dummy infusion. Some Alzheimer’s experts say that delay is likely too subtle for patients or their families to notice.

But federal health advisers said the difference could still be meaningful and recommended that the FDA fully approve the drug at a public meeting in June.

Roads shut, protesters gather around country as overhaul opponents turn up heat

Israelis protest against the judicial overhaul, outside Economy Minister Nir Barkat's home in Jerusalem, July 6, 2023. (Noam Revkin Fenton/Flash90)

Demonstrators have begun assembling at rally locations around the country for the 27th weekend of protests against the government’s judicial shakeup, and as the temperature rises on the national conflict over the effort to curb the powers of the justice system.

Organizers are hoping for a show of force tonight as they voice increasing anger over the coalition’s plan to pass in its first Knesset reading Monday a bill to remove courts’ ability to judge the “reasonableness” of government decisions.

Tonight’s events are a prelude to Tuesday, when demonstrators are planning nationwide protests and disruptions as they vow to fight the legislation with every tool at their disposal.