Five arrested in Jerusalem, Haifa protests

Five people protesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to fire Defense Minister Yoav Gallant have been arrested in Jerusalem and Haifa, police say, re-opening the Route 1 highway in the capital.

Three demonstrators in Jerusalem are detained for “attacking police and breaking through barriers” near Azza Street in Jerusalem, where protesters have gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence, police say in a statement.

Traffic on Route 1 into the capital, which protesters had blocked with stones, is also flowing again, authorities say.

In Haifa, police say they arrested two people, including one demonstrator suspected of lighting a bonfire on a road. No reason is given for the second arrest.

“Some of the protesters fought with police there and at a certain point began to march toward the highway to disrupt traffic,” police there say in a statement.