Hundreds protest Likud event, minister files police complaint, photographer shoved to ground

Scuffles with police erupt as hundreds of demonstrators mass outside a pre-Rosh Hashanah event for the ruling Likud Party, protesting a series of government ministers as they enter the venue in the central Israeli city of Petah Tikvah.

The event, a “toast” held a little over a week before the Jewish New Year, takes place as weekly rallies across the country call for a ceasefire agreement to release the 48 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Protesters at the Likud event at first attempt to block the entrance, according to Hebrew media, and are then moved behind a barricade by police. Footage on social media shows them chanting “Shame” at those entering the event.

A video circulating on social media shows veteran photographer Reuven Castro being shoved to the ground as Transportation Minister Miri Regev enters the venue under heavy security. The Kan public broadcaster reports that a police officer shoved Castro, who received treatment on site.

אלימות משטרתית בהפגנה בפתח תקווה מחוץ לאירוע הרמת כוסית של הליכוד; שוטר יס"מ הטיח לקרקע את צלם העיתונות ראובן קסטרו, שנפגע וטופל במקום@hadasgrinberg ואורלי אלקלעי

(צילום: אורית לטנר, "בונות אלטרנטיבה") pic.twitter.com/4y7LSRn8CR

— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) September 13, 2025

May Golan, minister for social equality and women’s empowerment, enters the event accompanied by security and, in a post on X, says she is accosted by protesters who use epithets including sexual harassment. She says she has filed a police complaint.

She makes a heart sign with her hands as she walks by the protesters, according to footage.

“I just arrived under heavy security at the Likud’s toast event in Petah Tikva and was attacked by protesters who cursed me, threw objects toward me, and yelled things at me that included sexual harassment,” Golan posts on X, vowing to continue “sounding my voice of truth, and that of the great community I represent.”

הגעתי כעת תחת אבטחה כבדה לאירוע הרמת כוסית של הליכוד בפ״ת והותקפתי על ידי מפגינים שקיללו אותי, זרקו לעברי חפצים וקראו לעברי הערות הכוללות הטרדות מיניות –

אם פעילי ימין היו מתנהגים כך המהדורות היו נפתחות, אבל הם לא בוחלים בכלום, לא בהסתה לרצח ולא בפציעה עד זוב דם של צלם תמים!… pic.twitter.com/6GLhLgdZai

— May Golan מאי גולן (@GolanMay) September 13, 2025

One person is arrested in the area, according to a legal aid group for protesters.