From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Bonfires, water cannons at Jerusalem anti-government protest, as some clash with police
Jessica Steinberg, The Times of Israel's culture and lifestyles editor, covers the Sabra scene from south to north and back to the center
As protesters fill Jerusalem’s Azza Road, near the private residence of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, some light a bonfire in the middle of the street, while others clash with police.
“We will not abandon you, we will not abandon you!” chant the protesters, gathering in circles around the bonfire.
As it begins to rain lightly on the chilly March evening, the police drive a water cannon down the narrow Jerusalem street, blasting a stream of water at the demonstrators.
The protesters blow horns and whistles, wave Israeli flags and banners, and some race for cover as the police continue to use the water cannons to break up the protest.
Some police officers push protesters, trying to move them away from the gathering. Some of the protesters have spent part of the day at a protest up the block, at Paris Square, where the mostly silent, white-wearing Shift 101 gathering sat on the street, blocking traffic for many hours.
The Times of Israel Community.