Clashes in Israel as Anti-Netanyahu Protesters Rally in Jerusalem

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation "Makan" reported, hours ago, that clashes erupted between the Israeli police and hundreds of demonstrators opposing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who were on their way to Jerusalem.

"Makan" pointed out that the police prevented the demonstrators from going to Jerusalem, under the pretext that the demonstration was illegal, and arrested 23 of its participants after clashes in the vicinity of the Hemed Junction, west of Jerusalem.

The broadcaster reported that Knesset members Moshe Ya'alon and Urai Lahav Herzeno had joined the demonstrators.

On his part, Knesset member Ofer Kasif called on Minister of Internal Security Amir Ohana to stop using the police forces for political purposes, considering that "the demonstrators who were detained by the police at the demonstration are considered political prisoners and must be released."

On the other hand, the leader of the Israeli "Blue and White- in Hebrew: Kahol Lavan" party and Israeli Defense Minister  Benny Gantz, suggested, in a closed conversation, that Israel would head to another snap election on March 21 next year, according to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper.

The Israeli newspaper quoted Gantz saying: "I gave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu all the opportunities in the world and gave him all the time. I met him and urged him to pass the budget."

 Gantz added that there are no words to describe the scale of the scandal of taking a state hostage for three years.

He noted that in short, we are going to elections, and we will emerge from them stronger than what we have seen in opinion polls."

It is reported that there have been coalition differences between the Likud party led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Blue and White parties chaired by Gantz since the formation of the government on May 17, 2020.

The main dispute between the two sides revolves around the state budget, which the Blue and White party has repeatedly urged the Israeli Prime Minister and Finance Ministry to approve because the government has not drawn up a budget since 2019.