"Siege of Balfour"

In December 2019, Uri Nachman, a member of Likud Central Committee, began the "siege of Balfour" near Beit Aghion, the Prime Minister's Residence in Jerusalem^[9][10] Hundreds demonstrate against Netanyahu near his official residence, again] She believed that this was the address for the protest, and this is the only way to make a change in Israel. But she remained alone, and her protest did not gain momentum. On 6 June, Nachman returned to Balfour for a 24-hour siege and slept there alone. On 10 June, Amir Haskel joined her and posted on social media about the opening of the sit-down strike in Balfour.

He wrote, "Have you seen the demonstrations in the White House in Washington? Now we want Washington to see the demonstrations in front of the prime minister's residence." There were 10–50 people in the protest compound. Some slept in Sleeping bags on the sidewalk, and some at neighbors in the area, who open their homes to protesters. Passers-by entered the compound to express support for the protesters. The main event is a Kabbalat Shabbat, which attracts a large crowd, and activities such as lectures, concerts, performances, meditation, and public singing took place.

Arrest of Amir Haskel

On 26 June, police dispersed the weekly "Kabbalat Shabbat" demonstration and arrested Amir Haskel, an Ex-general who was speaking there.^[11] The reason for the arrest was that he blocked the road for about two hours. The demonstrators claimed that this was an excuse since they were standing on the sidewalk. Along with Haskel, seven activists were arrested. They were offered to be released in exchange for an undertaking not to come to Balfour, but they refused. The arrest of Amir Haskel provoked outrage on social media, and for the first time, the institutionalized media reported on the "individual protest".

The arrest was perceived as a political arrest. Out of all the protest organizations came a call not to leave Haskel alone. The day after the arrest, hundreds marched to the "Russian Compound" and to the Magistrate's Court, where the detainees were. Then public figures also arrived for the first time, including Moshe Ya'alon,^[12] and Knesset members from all opposition parties. On Sunday morning, a judge released them unconditionally. Following the incident, all the protest groups scattered in the country moved to Balfour.

Bibistille

According to the protesters, the government's failed management of the COVID-19 crisis increased public unrest. Unlike previous demonstrations, on 14 July many young people came to the demonstrations. They gathered in front of the Prime Minister's Residence and nearby France Square ("Paris Square"). The demonstration was called "Bibistille", because of its historic date, French Bastille Day.^[13] The demonstration marked a change of trend, from a quiet protest with almost no mention in the institutionalized media, it became a noisy mass demonstration, with individualistic protest styles, costumes, and performances. It was the largest demonstration since the beginning of the "Balfour Siege", and thousands of people took part, with an estimated 4,000 people.

The police conducted a demonstration with a large number of special police forces, border guards and undercover police officers. According to statements of the demonstrators, violent provocateurs were implanted to sabotage the protest.^[14] The police arrested random protesters, struck people with water cannon, and used cavalry against the protesters. 50 demonstrators were arrested.^[15]

Demonstrations in Balfour

The demonstrations were held on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. On Fridays, there was a "Kabbalat Shabbat". Demonstrations also took place in Caesarea, near the private house of Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as near the house of the Minister of Internal Security, Amir Ohana in Tel Aviv. Police dispersed the demonstration with great force and extensive use of water cannons. A picture of a demonstrator kneeling with his hand waving the Israeli flag and trying to defend himself against the jet of water was widely covered in the media.

On 1 August, a demonstration was held in Balfour which was attended by over 10,000 people, the largest demonstration to date in the Balfour complex.

In September 2020 during the holidays, Netanyahu led a second closure on the entire country and tried to ban demonstrations in primary legislation.^[16] In response, local demonstrations took place across the country. In addition, a convoy of thousands of cars drove on the empty roads due to the closure, on their way to Jerusalem. The column of cars lengthened to a length of 20 km (12 mi). About 20,000 people came to protest in Paris Square. A week later, the Knesset authorized the government to restrict demonstrations.

Submarine scandal protests

Roey Peleg with a pink submarine exhibit at The Knesset, 21 October 2020

The protest movement "Hakira Achshav" (Investigation Now), founded by Roey Peleg and Atar Sheinfeld, demands the establishment of State Investigation Committee in the "Submarine Scandal", which is regarded by many as "The Worst National Security Corruption Scandal in History". Within this capacity, the group initiated and led many protest activities including an underwater submarine protest and motor convoy protests along with large balloons in the shape of submarines.^[17][18][19]