Anti-government rallies occur in several Israeli cities

Anti-government rallies demanding early elections were held in several Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on February 17.

Three demonstrators were arrested in Caesarea, TASS reports citing the Israeli police press office.

"During the February 17 night rally, Rothschild Street in Caesarea was blocked. The protest was accompanied by insults and physical violence against local police. Three protesters were arrested," the statement said.

Caesarea is the seaside residence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In Tel Aviv, anti-government demonstrations resumed near the Defence Ministry compound, where participants had previously opposed legal reforms and called off after the radical Palestinian Hamas movement attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, and the war in Gaza began.

"During the rally, demonstrators blocked traffic in both directions, throwing bottles, lighting fireworks, landing on the Kaplan street and attempting to break through the police cordon," the police press office said.

"After the police declared the demonstration illegal and gave the order to disperse, security forces removed the demonstrators from the road, which was open to traffic," the press office said, adding that the two troublemakers were given heavy fines.