End Disruptive Violence from Left-Wing Protesters in Tel Aviv and Caesarea, Creating Chaos for Citizens and Raising the Specter of Another Political Assassination

The surge in violent left-wing protests in Tel Aviv and Caesarea, calling for harm to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and advocating for Israeli surrender to Hamas, demands immediate and decisive action. These demonstrations threaten the safety of our leaders and disrupt public life, creating chaos and fear among ordinary citizens. The Israeli police must abandon their kid-gloves approach and crack down hard on these illegal activities.

Recent protests have escalated to alarming levels of incitement. Liraz Rimon, a protester in Caesarea, referred to Netanyahu and his wife as “placing Israel on her knees and pointing a loaded gun at her head” on social media. Other demonstrators have made even more direct threats, with one speaker at a Caesarea rally calling Netanyahu “the only guilty party for the massacre” of October 7 and suggesting he should be “tried for murder.”

These violent calls are not protected speech. They are direct threats to the stability and security of our nation. Allowing these protests to continue unchecked only emboldens those who seek to undermine our democratic institutions and endanger our leaders. Sara Netanyahu has publicly condemned these threats, highlighting the gravity of the situation and urging opposition leaders to denounce such incitement. She stated, “In recent weeks, threats have been heard and published to assassinate the Prime Minister, myself and our sons, government ministers such as Yariv Levin and Itamar Ben-Gvir, and other public representatives. I strongly condemn these incitement and violent attacks, which have no place among us.” Other lawmakers have branded the rioters as “an arm of Hamas.” Certainly the agitation gives succor to Israel’s enemies.

In stark contrast to the leniency shown to these left-wing agitators, history reveals a much harsher response from the authorities towards other groups. When Haredim block roads, the police response is swift and severe. Similarly, during the disengagement from Gaza, hundreds of non-violent protesters faced brutal force from the IDF, including baton strikes and trampling by horses. This disparity in treatment is unacceptable and highlights a glaring double standard that undermines the rule of law and public trust in our institutions.

Prominent voices have warned about the dangers of allowing such protests to continue unchecked. Police officials have acknowledged the threats posed by these protests, noting that some demonstrators have been “disturbing public order and endangering police officers’ lives” during recent clashes.

To restore public confidence and uphold the rule of law, the police must take decisive action against all forms of illegal demonstrations, regardless of political motivations. This includes deploying appropriate force to disperse violent protests, arresting those who incite violence, and ensuring that public spaces are not hijacked by those who seek to sow chaos and fear.

Israel’s democratic principles allow for peaceful protest and freedom of speech, but these rights do not extend to actions that threaten violence or disrupt public order. The police must enforce this distinction clearly and consistently. Only by doing so can we ensure the safety of our leaders, the stability of our society, and the integrity of our democratic process.