From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 31, 2025
Footage shows police manhandling opposition MK at Jerusalem anti-government protest
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleSam Sokol is a former political correspondent at The Times of Israel. He was previously a reporter for the Jerusalem Post, Jewish Telegraphic Agency and Haaretz. He is the author of "Putin’s Hybrid War and the Jews"
Security forces are filmed manhandling MK Naama Lazimi of The Democrats party during a protest outside the Knesset.
Despite people screaming that she is a member of Knesset, officers grab, pull, and shove the opposition lawmaker as she screams in fear.
מליציית בן גביר תוקפת את חברת הכנסת נעמה לזימי.
הדמוקרטיה נפלה.
אם לא נתייצב כגוף אחד מולם, איש מאיתנו לא מוגן.
גם לא מי שמחפשים אחדות.
ואפילו לא מי שתומכים בנתניהו.ותודה לאישה האמיצה הזאת שמגנה בגופה על הדמוקרטיה. או מה שנותר ממנה. .@naamalazimi @guypch2news… pic.twitter.com/vl744p6cMk
— Rotem Sivan (@DrRotemSivan) March 31, 2025
Responding to the footage, The Democrats’ chair Yair Golan says that the incident proves that “incitement has seeped in, and restraint has disappeared.”
“I know Naama well. She is a brave fighter who will not shy away from pressure or arrests. And like Naama, the hundreds of thousands of citizens on the streets will not be deterred. Anyone who thinks they can be broken is making a historical mistake,” he tweets.
“I already told Commissioner Danny Levy and I am announcing it again: Any police officer who thinks he will build his career on violence against civilians — let him think again. We will ensure that the police officers responsible are brought to justice.”
Several thousand people protested in Jerusalem against the government and for a deal to bring back the hostages in Gaza.
The Times of Israel Community.