Live UpdateFrom the Liveblog of Thursday, March 9, 2023

Naval reservists against overhaul block marine traffic at Haifa port

By Emanuel Fabian 9 March 2023, 10:11 am 0 Edit

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent.

Protesters block marine traffic at the Haifa port, amid the 'day of disruption' against the government's judicial overhaul, March 9, 2023 (Screen grab used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

Protesters are blocking marine traffic at the Haifa port during the “day of disruption” against the government’s judicial overhaul.

The Brothers in Arms protest group, representing reservist soldiers and officers, say “in a dictatorship, the sea is closed.”

“For decades we have been sailing day and night and guarding the main lifeline of the State of Israel,” the group says.

“We reserve soldiers, in the missile ships and the routine security ships, the submarine crews, and the naval commandos for generations, are working even now to keep the State of Israel’s maritime borders and its shipping lanes open,” it says.

“We chose to disrupt operations at Haifa port to call in a clear voice to the Israeli government to stop the uncontrolled voyage that will cause the State of Israel to run aground,” the group adds.

A number of former senior naval officers are involved in the protest.