A car plowed into a crowd of protesters demanding the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening, injuring five people. The driver was detained on the spot.
According to a brief statement from police on X (formerly Twitter), the incident took place on Namir Road, where an anti-government rally was being held. The demonstration was part of countrywide protests in which people urged Netanyahu to step down and called for the return of hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.
Videos circulating on social media show a woman in the passenger seat of a white car angrily arguing with protesters, while police attempt to guide the crowd away and allow the car to leave the area. The car suddenly speeds up, hitting several people. Police said the driver ignored requests to stop and was taken into custody shortly after the incident.
“We know at this time that the driver struck three civilians,” the police stated, adding that the injured people were transported to the hospital for treatment.
The attack was condemned by Israeli politicians, with President Isaac Herzog warning that “violence is a red line that must never be crossed.”
Former Justice Minister Gideon Sa’ar called the ramming of protesters a “clear and serious hate crime,” calling for the culprit to be brought to justice. Hilli Tropper, who served as a minister without portfolio, urged the Israeli leadership to “sharply and clearly” condemn the attack.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, however, blamed the escalation of violence on “leftist” politicians, arguing that protesters are “tearing [society] apart.”
Large-scale protests have resumed as Israel’s war with Hamas entered its sixth month. A series of marches led by family members of the hostages and anti-government activists took place in multiple cities, with demonstrators demanding a deal with Hamas that would lead to the release of more than 100 hostages. They accused Netanyahu of “failing the deal on purpose.”
The situation deteriorated earlier this week when protesters attempted to storm Netanyahu’s residence in Jerusalem, forcing police to use riot control measures.
Netanyahu, who faced regular protests long before the war began on October 7, insists that Israel will keep fighting until it achieves “total victory” over Hamas, and that the Jewish state will maintain “full security control” over Gaza once the war ends.