Six arrested as police forcibly disperse anti-war protest in Haifa

Israel Police forces forcibly dispersed an anti-war protest in Haifa earlier this evening after declaring it an illegal gathering.

In video footage taken by a Walla news correspondent, police and border police officers can be seen rushing into a crowd of protesters and pushing them forward, causing several people to be knocked onto the ground.

The protest was billed as an anti-war demonstration and a show of solidarity with civilians in Gaza amid Israel’s war with Hamas.

In a statement, the police say that six people were arrested “for disturbing public order, calling for Israel’s destruction and singing the praises of terrorists.” The statement goes on to again stress that the protesters were chanting “in Arabic for the destruction of Israel.”

Haifa is a mixed city and some 10 percent of its residents are Arab Israelis.

Two police officers were wounded in the skirmishes with protesters and received medical treatment, the statement adds.

שדרות בן גוריון חיפה. כמה עשרות ערבים קוראים קריאות. ללא שלטים. ללא דגלים. אבל המשטרה הגיעה באפס סבלנות. יסמ מגב פרשים מכתזית. הודיעה ״היום לא יתקיים כאן כלום״. כרזה שההפגנה לא חוקית ומפזרת בכוח. יש מעצרים. העימותים נמשכים @WallaNews pic.twitter.com/AP85GOqoqH

— יואב איתיאל מדווח כי (@yoavetiel) May 30, 2024