Thread by @bentreyf

Saturday night in Jerusalem means another thousands-strong protest against Netanyahu’s government. This time, however, rather than spending the evening at Balfour, we’re marching to Bibi’s house from Meitarim Bridge at the entrance to the city

Protestors blocking roads en route to Balfour

The police refused to grant a permit for this march but it hasn’t stopped thousands from joining. Some police here running to catch up with the front of the march

A car covered in Bibi and Likud posters & flags has arrived to the front of the march. Protestors largely ignoring it

The protest arrives to its destination outside Balfour, as large as ever

“Israel today is yours, Israel tomorrow is ours” [Israel Today is the pro-Bibi newspaper]

A message being spread on WhatsApp before this evening was calling on protestors not to enter the barricaded square, in order to make it harder for the police to disperse. Here’s a small group still marching through the streets, chanting “we’re not afraid”

This whole crowd is standing outside the barricade. Police are currently not letting anyone in or out of the nearest entrance of the square to here - they seem unsure how to deal with what’s happening

Police have now made a human barricade to contain the overflow protestors. Lots on horseback behind them. Still not allowing entry into the square from here

Police have eventually reacted by removing the main barricade at this side of the square, uniting the inner and outer protests

Among other things, these protests have been notable for the growing bloc centering the core issues of Israel’s Ethiopian community. Here they chant “until when? Avera Mengistu”

“Love Avera as yourself” [a play on the biblical commandment to “love your neighbour as yourself”]

Silent disco! (around the XR Red Brigade)

Police already entering part of the crowd with lots of force, as reports come through of a policeman striking a protestor on the head during the march earlier

Red brigade down

And up!

Police seemingly entering the crowd to confiscate megaphones

Earlier than usual (at 11 on the dot) police have declared the protest illegal and have already started entering the crowd to make arrests

These folks aren’t going anywhere

This is the reaction as the police chief tries another announcement over the loudspeaker

Bibi behind bars

Police now entering en masse to disperse

In come the horses

Police using lots of force even as protestors are at the exit

Paramedics wheeling a man with a head wound into an ambulance, as the woman accompanying him says he was waiting 30 minutes for treatment since the police wouldn’t allow the ambulance to enter

Protestors have mostly been removed from the square but those leaving from this exit are now marching away together still chanting