Mounted officer appears to whip photographer during stormy anti-gov’t protest in Tel Aviv

A mounted police officer appears to whip a photojournalist during a stormy anti-government protest in Tel Aviv tonight.

Several videos uploaded to social media show a policeman on horseback hitting Haaretz photographer Itai Ron with his riding crop, causing Ron to lurch backwards.

The incident occurs as masses of protesters demonstrate on Begin Road, after marching there from Habima Square earlier in the evening.

When marchers reached Begin Road, the police station commander declared the demonstration illegal and called for the “arrests of the protest leaders” through a megaphone.

Lawyers for detained anti-government protesters say that two demonstrators have been arrested so far by police, apparently after blocking the road to traffic.

A police horse also trampled on the foot of prominent activist Moshe Radman, who required treatment from a volunteer medic, organizers say.

Footage from tonight shows mounted officers bumping up against protesters who had already vacated the road and were standing on the sidewalk, in compliance with the police orders.

פרש מצליף בצלם הארץ איתי רון

תל אביב 21/04/2025

צילום: יאיר פלטי@itonaim @Haaretz pic.twitter.com/IJHzGb4oMi

— אלימות ישראל (@Alimut_Israel) April 21, 2025