Tensions are high in ‘Israel’ on Friday as the Zionist entity faces both internal and external threats putting it in a dilemma.
As occupation police were on alert on Thursday over chaotic protests over Israeli government planned judicial overhaul, a Palestinian shot three Israelis, one critically, in Tel Aviv.
The Zionist entity, which has been embraced for mass anti-government protests for weeks, witnessed on Thursday a second “day of disruption” that saw a main road in Tel Aviv blocked for some two hours and roads around Ben Gurion Airport jammed by protesters.
AG Freezes Ben Gvir Decision
Israeli attorney general on Friday put a moratorium on a controversial decision by Israeli so-called National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir to oust Tel Aviv police district commander.
The minister’s decision on Thursday was dictated by his view that the police chief was overly lenient toward Israelis protesting the government’s judicial reform.
Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara said there were “grave doubts” about the legality of the decision.
Ben Gvir Raged at Police
Earlier on Thursday, Ben Gvir announced the removal of the police’s Tel Aviv District Commander
from his position, following another day of chaotic anti-government protests.
In a statement in the early evening, Ben Gvir said he had decided to appoint Eshed as head of the police’s Training Department with immediate effect, based on a recommendation from Commissioner Kobi Shabtai, The Times of Israel Report.
The move was widely seen as a stinging dismissal of Eshed, who was believed to harbor ambitions to lead the police force, with Hebrew media indicating Ben Gvir had long grumbled about his ostensibly soft hand with anti-government protesters.
Kan news and other Israeli media outlets reported that he complained cops “didn’t follow my instructions throughout the day, both at the airport and on Ayalon… They do whatever they want — it won’t continue,” the Kan public broadcaster reported.
Tel Aviv Shooting
Shortly after Ben Gvir’s decision was announced, three Israelis were wounded in a shooting in central Tel Aviv’s Dizengoff Street.
23-year-old Mutaz al-Khuwaja walked up to a group of pedestrians in the heart of Tel Aviv and opened fire, wounding three, including one in critical condition. Occupation police killed al-Khawaja at the scene.
Following the operation, which was claimed by Hamas resistance movement, Israeli occupation forces arrested the father and brother of al-Khawaja in the West Bank village of Ni’lin.
Last night, Israeli occupation forces stormed the town of Ni’lin in the occupied West Bank and arrested Salah Khawaja, the father of martyr Mutaz Khawaja, after raiding his home. pic.twitter.com/IShzUZPcXA
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 10, 2023
Clashes were reported following the arrests as occupation forces mapped the house for possible demolition, according to i24NEWS.
Herzog: Legislation ‘Destructive’
Also on Thursday, Israeli President Issac Herzog described as destructive the current legislation pushed through by the coalition of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and right-wing parties, saying it must be thrown out.
In an address, Herzog said that the laws being advanced are wrong, destructive, an affront to Israel’s democratic values, and must be replaced. He described this as a watershed moment.
This is the most outspoken the Israeli president has been thus far in his opposition to the government’s legislative push to overhaul the judiciary.
Source: Israeli and Palestinian media (translated and edited by Al-Manar English Website)
