", Opposition leader Yair Lapid responded Wednesday to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's comparison of the pro-democracy protesters in Tel Aviv to the settlers rioting in Hawara, calling it a "horrific statement, by an inciteful, weak, dangerous man. If the legislation is halted and canceled, we will immediately call for the establishment of a public committee under your auspices that will hold negotiations with the aim of drafting a constitution by consensus for the Jewish and democratic State of Israel and in the spirit of the Declaration of Independence, the officials wrote to the president. You can renew your subscription or I couldnt forgive myself if I didnt come here and give any help that I can provide.. We've been in the army, we've been in all the wars and now my parents say I should leave, they say 'Don't stay, Go, now, things will not change.' I get into my car and start crying because I love my country, but I feel like I'm losing it. A month into President Vladimir Putin's full-scale assault on Ukraine, fighting groups made up of veterans from abroad are seeing combat. According to reports, police are using force to disperse the crowds, with hundreds of police officers and vehicles arriving at the scene. The 35-year-old U.S. veteran has thick, muscular arms and a shaved head. On Thursday he said 16,000 foreigners had come to help rebuff the invading Russian army. The settlers set a house on fire when a Palestinian family was inside but Israeli security forces have rescued the family safely. In line outside the embassy trying to get more information about volunteering is the former paratrooper from Atlanta, who asks that his name not be used. The law, submitted by Otzma Yehudit lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech, was initially promised to National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir as part of his party's coalition agreement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Knesset has passed two controversial bills in preliminary hearing on Wednesday, as thousands of Israelis take part in a "national day of disruption" to protest the government's plan to weaken the justice system. In an interview with Israel's Channel 12 TV station over the weekend, the US under-secretary of state for political affairs, Victoria Nuland, called on Israel to join the group of countries that . Her friend,Moran Cohen-Lesham, 38, works with youth at risk describes herself as deeply depressed about the state of the country. Slava says hes not deterred by the idea that the Ukrainian army might eventually be unraveled by the fighting and forced into guerrilla style militias. Hili Ringel, a 40-year-old mother of two who works as a UX designer is protesting even though her immigrant parents, from Argentina, fear it's too late to save Israeli democracy. ", The Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee approved on Wednesday morning a key part of the judicial overhaul that would restrict the High Court's ability to override laws. Some have previously served in the military or have a little experience in shooting as a hobby. Veterans of the Military Intelligence's elite Unit 8200 have joined a growing list of army reservists threatening to refuse to perform reserve service in protest of the government's . Israel Police say 39 protesters have been arrested in the protests in Tel Aviv. Another Israeli who took part in an anti-war protest in central Tel Aviv on Saturday night and gave his name as Vladimir told Israel's Channel 13 News that his 10-month-old daughter was still. continue to use the site without a The firm was dubbed 'Team Jorge' by investigating journalists who posed as potential clients in order to gather information on its methods and capabilities. In the letter, Bar explained that the organization's management discussed the matter and decided that "in order to continue to maintain the public's trust in the Shin Bet's decision-making and its actions and so that it is not interpreted, even mistakenly, that the service takes a [political] position employees of the organization cannot participate in demonstrations against government policy.". ", "The soldier was [acting] crazy," Aviali said, adding that he was shocked to see the soldier reaching for his weapon. Police officers arresting a protester in central Tel Aviv, on Wednesday. ", "The people is the sovereign and not the bureaucrats or a band of failing and embittered politicians," she declared. The move follows public comments by the lawmaker, Zvika Fogel, of the far-right Otzma Yehudit party, in support of a deadly rampage by Israeli settlers on Sunday in the West Bank Palestinian village of Hawara. "The police must allow them to voice their opinions and fight for the country they serve and love. ", Speaking at the rally in Tel Aviv, former Shin Bet Chief Yuval Diskin said: "I wish to send condolences to the families of those killed in the Hawara terrorist attack, and I believe the Shin Bet will get the terrorists. He immigrated to Israel earlier this year, hoping to join the Israeli army, but. Theres nothing like that there. Both men declined to give their full names. The protester fled in panic. Were run by a church, but were not only for church members and were not about converting people. "I was in the army in Israel and now I'm here," he said. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called on Israel's Police Chief to "ignore the political and dangerous attempts being made by Itamar Ben-Gvir, who's trying to fan the flames. Clashes between the police and protesters near a train station in Tel Aviv. Will he now tell his wife and go to her to say goodbye in person? In a post on social media (that was later removed), the Ukrainian Embassy had called on those who wanted to defend the sovereignty of Ukraine to contact them about volunteering to fight. A rally in support of Ukraine in Jerusalem, October 23. And Im telling you candidly, and this might sound a little insulting, but I do think I have to say it: Our relations are not bad, not bad at all. Real news, real hope. Mounted police officers use stun grenades in Tel Aviv, on Wednesday. She was born in Moscow and immigrated to Israel with her family when she was 7. An update on major political events, candidates, and parties twice a week. https://odessa-journal.com/israeli-special-forces-veterans-arrived-in-ukraine/ President Herzog to give 'special address to the nation' at 8 p.m. Biden, in first direct comment on judicial overhaul, urges consensus building, As Netanyahu government forges ahead with controversial legislative package, US president echoes plea of Israels Herzog, who urged a pause for dialogue, Former Mossad chief, ex-national security aides urge compromise on judicial shakeup, AG pans coalition attempt to cancel legal review of minister picks, reinstate Deri, Israeli Nobel winners warn against judicial overhaul in letter to Netanyahu, Herzog, Avram Hershko, Ada Yonath, Aaron Ciechanover, Michael Levitt, Arieh Warshel, Roger Kornberg, Daniel Kahneman raise deep concern over effect of proposal on scientific research, Only 1 in 4 Israelis want government to forge ahead with judicial overhaul poll, Tens of thousands rally against judicial overhaul; organizers claim over 200,000, Protest leaders say 145,000 rally in Tel Aviv, 83,000 in other cities; police allow demonstrators to march on Ayalon Highway, Daily Briefing Feb. 12: Terror attack in Jerusalem; IDF rescues continue in Turkey, PM: Cabinet to order broader action against East Jerusalem, West Bank terror, Netanyahu says government will also strengthen settlements in response to deadly attack; rails against civil disobedience and nationwide strike in response to judicial overhaul, Police seal family home of terrorist who rammed Ramot bus stop, killing three, Iron Dome intercepts rocket launched from Gaza at southern Israel, 8-year-old boy critically hurt in Jerusalem attack dies, a day after younger brother, Asher Menahem Paleys death brings toll of ramming to 3; he and 3rd victim are laid to rest; Paleys father in moderate condition, with another brother lightly hurt, Military to permanently seal home of 13-year-old shooter who wounded 2 in Jerusalem, Palestinian man said shot dead by settlers in West Bank, Rights group says large group of Israelis arrived at Qarawat Bani Hassan from nearby illegal outpost, attacked residents; IDF says soldiers not involved. We Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. ", National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir issued a statement following the clashes between the police and demonstrators, saying that he "backs the police officers in their use of measures to disperse the anarchists who rioted and tried to block the Ayalon highways. Photograph: Jack Guez/AFP/Getty Images. Activists also plan to try to disrupt railway traffic at various train stations across the during the morning rush hour. Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv reported that 11 people arrived to receive emergency medical aid due to injuries sustained in the pro-democracy protests in the city. If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. The Israeli news publication Ynet reports that the former Israeli military from the elite units of the IDF is fighting on the side of Ukrainian troops and radicals, including groups recognized as terrorists in Russia. And here [in Israel] there are not tanks on the streets. For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. News site Ynet has featured a report about special forces joining the fray. ", Labor party chair Merav Michaeli responded to the use of stun grenades against protesters. The 35-year-old U.S. veteran has thick, muscular arms and a shaved head. Tel Aviv University Station, on Wednesday. In a tweet, the former transportation minister said: "I'd like to remind the Police Chief that Israel Police is not the private militia of Ben-Gvir or Netanyahu. Nearly 150 Palestinians were killed in those areas. "I don't want to leave my country. If youre looking for bran muffin journalism, you can subscribe to the Monitor for $15. As Russian forces press on with their offensive into Ukraine, one Israeli national is helping the locals put up a resistance. We should create a constitution court whose judges would be picked by the Knesset, and then the High Court would lose its authority. His mother lives in his hometown near Kharkiv, the city in eastern Ukraine that has seen some of the worst fighting in the war. Accessibility Help. According to a local newspaper, in an email sent to congregants, the synagogue called the attack brutal.. On Thursday, a Russian Defense Ministry spokesperson said foreign fighters in Ukraine would be prosecuted ascriminals should they be caught by Russian troops, claiming they would not be protected by any rights provisioned under international humanitarian law as prisoners of war. Protesters gather around a Tel Aviv hair salon in which Sara Netanyahu is getting a haircut, on Wednesday. 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