08 Jul 2019 | 12:54 PM UTC
Israel: Protest against police brutality to take place in Tel Aviv July 8 /update 5
Activists to protest police brutality in Tel Aviv on July 8; heightened security measures and transportation disruptions likely
Event
Protest scheduled on Monday, July 8, to denounce police brutality is set to take place in Tel Aviv. Participants plan to meet at the Azrieli intersection at 17:00 (local time). Related rallies may take place in other parts of the country.
Heightened security measures and significant traffic disruptions are anticipated around all protests. Clashes between protesters and security forces cannot be ruled out.
Context
Tensions have been high in the country since an off-duty police officer allegedly shot an unarmed man of Ethiopian descent in the Kiryat Haim area of Haifa on June 30. On July 1, protesters burned tires and erected barricades in Haifa. Large crowds reportedly gathered in Kiryat Haim and Kiryat Ata after the accused officer was put under house arrest. Associated rallies were reported in Kiryat Ono, Be'er Sheva, Ashkelon, Rehovot, and other cities across Israel throughout the evening (local time) on July 1. At least five protesters were arrested in Tel Aviv on July 10 after blocking the Azrieli intersection, along with several other arrests in Yavne and Rishon Lezion after protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails at police officers.
Advice
Individuals in Israel are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.