Police say 8 arrested over brawls with cops, counterprotesters at rallies this evening

Police say they arrested three teenagers for attacking cops and demonstrators at an anti-government and pro-hostage deal protest in Kiryat Ono this evening.

In footage uploaded to social media of the incident, a large group of pro-Netanyahu counterprotesters can be seen brawling with police as they try to carry out arrests and cursing protesters in the surrounding area.

תומכי ממשלה תוקפים שוטרים

17.05.2025 קרית אונו pic.twitter.com/B7RPy8svvf

— אלימות ישראל (@Alimut_Israel) May 17, 2025

Officers also detained five people involved in a brawl between protesters and right-wing counter-demonstrators in Rehovot at a similar rally earlier that evening.

Four men arrived at the roadside protest in their car, and were seen filming protesters while shouting pro-Netanyahu slogans. He and another then began to scuffle with demonstrators, slapping them and trying to tear away their protest gear, including an Israeli flag.

רכב מאזדה ובו חבורת בריונים תומכי נתניהו עצר בסמוך למפגינים ברחובות – יושבי הרכב יצאו ממנו ותקפו את המפגינים.

17/05/2025 ????הילי ברוק pic.twitter.com/ddtxUDjuOs

— אלימות ישראל (@Alimut_Israel) May 17, 2025

“A vehicle arrived [to the protest], and its occupants began exchanging words with the protesters. The incident escalated into violence between the parties, and the police detained five suspects,” a police spokesman says.

Police detained some pro-hostage deal demonstrators alongside the counter protesters, including an elderly woman, according to a lawyers’ network that represents detained anti-government protesters.

A spokeswoman for the network adds that one of the counterprotesters has since been released from custody at the Rehovot police station.

Five violent attacks against anti-government protesters have occurred over the course of tonight’s demonstrations, according to Alimut Israel, a watchdog group tracking violence against protesters. The attacks took place in Rehovot, Kiryat Ono, Modiin, Tel Aviv, and Gome Junction in northern Israel.