Lapid calls on police chief not to use force against anti-government protest

Opposition leader Yair Lapid sends a letter to police chief Kobi Shabtai asking him to ensure that police don’t use force against anti-government protests set for Saturday night.

Lapid’s letter comes after police warned against potential unrest at mass rallies this weekend, prompting allegations of politicization by protest groups.

“These protesters are the biggest lovers of Israel and that’s how you should treat them,” Lapid writes. “I expect you to instruct the police to treat them with respect and to do everything to ensure that they can make their legitimate protests.”

Lapid asks Shabtai not to use water cannons and ensure no force is used against them.

Lapid says he will not attend the protest after being told that he and National Unity leader Benny Gantz would not be allowed to address the crowd.

Gantz, however, still plans to attend the demonstration.